Turkey judiciary slams government’s proposed reforms

Turkey’s top judicial body has denounced the government’s plans to curb its powers as tensions deepen over a graft probe implicating allies of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) on Friday condemned the proposed reforms which strip the judiciary of its powers to pass decrees.

The controversial plan also obliges the HSYK to report to the Justice Ministry, which would also decide who makes up the board.

“The amendment is against the constitution and the formation of an independent body,” the HSYK said in a written statement, adding that the move is against international law.

The amendments were proposed by Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) amid a deepening political crisis in the country.

Tensions broke out on December 17, 2013, after dozens of government officials and prominent businessmen close to Erdogan were arrested on graft charges.

The premier denounced the probe as a “dirty” plot to undermine his government ahead of the local elections in March and sacked hundreds of police chiefs in a major purge.

Erdogan has accused US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who enjoys influence in the police and judiciary, of instigating the probe. But Gulen has denied any involvement.

The developments have prompted warnings from the European Union and the United States.

In Brussels, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks called the plans to curb HSYK “a serious setback for the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.”

PressTv