A war of words escalates between Turk judiciary, gov't

The exchange of harsh statements signals a new phase in the conflict between the Islamist-rooted AKP government and the judiciary and is likely to increase tensions further. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and Justice Minsiter Mehmet Ali Sahin held a 1.5 hour-meeting in Ankara to discuss the issue.

Chief justices of the Supreme Court said in a joint statement that "the independence of judiciary could not have been digested," adding the recent developments showed that "it is aimed to form a judiciary that is protected and controlled by executive organ."

The statement came a week after Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan urged the Constitutional Court to find a "third-way to avoid banning the governing Justice and Development Party but at the same time address the public's sensitivities on secularism."

The chief prosecutor of Supreme Court's move to have the AKP banned drew fierce criticism from the government, and raised tensions between the judiciary and the executive organ. Turkey's Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its ruling on the closure case against the AKP by year-end. The AKP is charged with becoming the "focal point of anti-secular activities" by the chief prosecutor.

The judges criticized the AKP's move to replace the constitution, new judiciary reform and the lifting the headscarf ban. The AKP had prepared the new draft constitution without opening a debate and seeking a compromise in the nation, the statement said. "So that the first serious tension started at an unexpected time with an unnecessary way," it added.

The content of the draft law is not in line with the basic principles of "secular republic, rule of law and the independency of the judiciary," and this created justified reactions, it added. "The intense and correct reaction of the nation suspended the process of changing the constitution however the 10th and 42nd Articles of the constitution amended with an uninterrupted speed."

The Turkish parliament approved the bill amending the 10th and 42dn Articles of the constitution to lift the headscarf ban in universities in February. Lifting of the headscarf ban is a proxy in AKP's closure case.

The statement said the new judicial reform is proof of the government's bill to control the judiciary.

GOVERNMENT REACTION
Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said in Ankara the court's statement is "unnecessary and politically-motivated."

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and Sahin held a meeting in Ankara to discuss the high court's statement. No statement was made after the 1.5 hour-long meeting.

"I cannot understand the logic behind issuing such a statement when there is nothing going on.... As the Justice Minister I always respect the judiciary members. However I would like to mention that I see such statements as politically-motivated," Sahin told reporters in Ankara.

The main opposition party CHP extended its support to the Court of Appeals, adding the AKP attacks on the judiciary "cruelest and in an inappropriate way." "The statements of the highest level of judiciary officials are not political but an attempt to prevent the politician's interventions to the judiciary," Hakki Suha Okay, the deputy leader of parliamentary group of CHP said.

Photo: AA