Korkut: A regulation abnegating the freedoms on plea of 'security'

2015-04-04 11:00:16

YASİN KOBULAN

DİYARBAKIR (DİHA) - The "Homeland Security Package", that gives police extra powers, including the right to shoot to kill, has been approved by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The draft law (on changes to be made to the law on police powers and on certain laws and executive orders) submitted by the AKP government to parliament, and known as the ‘Internal Security package’ in Turkey, has been legalized. In the provisions of the new legislation, molotov cocktails and iron marbles are included within the definition of "arms" and police are given the power to shoot to kill persons carrying such materials. 

Yokuş: The draft unsettled

We were on the expectation of a democratic weather in the path of general elections, said Prof. Dr. Sevtap Yokuş from Kocaeli University Law School. Yokuş added, "The package had been passed in the parliament and approved by the president. It is against the expection of the society and us. This situation unsettled us. This regulation is the preparation to oppress the social opposition. The Homeland Security Package will jepordize the social peace. Already partial thought freedom will be inhibited more and more. Freedom of thought, organisation and marches of demonstration are tools of democracy. To close these democratic channels is not good for democratic steps."

The law also bans the traditional Kurdish "şal û şapik" on the grounds it "resembles the uniform of the organisation” and foresees the arrest of those who cover their face with the traditional ‘pûşi.’ Body and vehicles searches will also be allowed without specific permission and police will be allowed to ‘set up police stations in houses’. It will also be possible to declare certain areas “military forbidden areas” on the grounds of “lack of security” and it will be possible for the authorities to evacuate areas.

Korkut: Freedoms will be abnegated on plea of 'security'

Medipol University Law School Assistant Professor Doç. Dr. Levent Korkut also evaluted the new regulation. Korkut underlined, "Freedoms will be abnegated on the plea of 'security'. Regulations, providing social peace, can be brought, but this is a regulation abnegating the freedoms on the plea of 'security'. This is not coherent with a democratic country."

In circumstances where it is considered there would be a delay, a written order from the chief of police or head of the intelligence organisation will be sufficient for the telephones or telecommunications of citizens to be tapped, and only be submitted to a judge for approval after 48 hours, instead of the previous 24 hours. 

The new legislation also gives broad powers to governors, allowing them to ban protests, order arrests and assign armed units. Governors will also be able to order the security forces to make arrests.

(nt)