OPINION: Distrust in justice and impunity for crime cause crime rates to increase rapidly in Turkey
The judiciary and justice system in Turkey nearly collapsed! And because justice has collapsed; neither the economy is getting better nor is the wreckage we are in getting lifted.
In the Rule of Law category, Turkey ranks 148th out of 173 countries in the world and second to last out of 45 countries in Europe.
Examining more closely the problems affecting the performance of the justice system and social peace in Turkey in recent years is of great importance for the future social structure of the country.
The General Directorate of Criminal Records and Statistics reports for 2023 clearly reveal the increase and regional decreases in the number of files opened in criminal courts.
While the number of files opened in criminal courts across Turkey was 1 million 804 thousand 267 in 2022, this figure increased to 1 million 855 thousand 451 in 2023.
However, the number of files opened in criminal courts in the region decreased from 171 thousand 483 in 2022 to 160 thousand 696 in 2023. These data show that while there is an increase in criminal trials throughout Turkey, there is a decrease in the regions.
While this table reveals that there is an increase in criminal prosecutions and a decrease at the regional level, there are also many underlying reasons. Increasing crime rates, deepening economic crises, widespread impunity policies and lack of judicial personnel are at the roots of this problem.
Economic difficulties and financial difficulties negatively affect people’s psychological state, which increases the risk of committing a crime. On the one hand, impunity policies encourage crime, on the other hand, inadequacies in the judicial system further trigger crime rates.
Lack of judicial personnel prolongs the processing time of files, which pushes individuals to seek their own justice. Therefore, individuals seeking justice seek solutions on their own, and this may cause crime rates to increase.
In addition, the increase in individual armament stands out as an important factor that threatens social security. The proliferation of weapons can lead to deadly consequences even in minor disputes, further deepening the spiral of violence.
People are trying to survive in this great decay, as long as they can. The spiral of violence descends from the top to the bottom. The one who cannot afford the one at the top tries to carry out his grudge on the one at the lower level.
While all these internally corrosive problems are being experienced, the political power’s insensitivity to the events and its lack of precautionary attitude brings to mind that what is happening is taking place within a voluntary scenario.
Isn’t the demand for amnesty for terrorist ringleader Ocalan voiced by politicians a clear example of this?
