Ban on events of professional organizations, NGOs in Turkey

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In a circular letter addressed to the 81 governor's offices across Turkey, the Ministry of Interior has announced that the events to be held by non-governmental organizations (NGO), professional organizations, unions and cooperatives have been postponed till December 1, 2020.

The General Assembly of the İstanbul Bar was scheduled for October 10-11.

Reason: Recommendation of Health Ministry

The circular of the Interior Ministry entitled "Coronavirus Measures" has also cited an official letter sent by the Ministry of Health to the Interior Ministry.

Raising concerns that the number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing in the world, the Health Ministry's letter has noted: "Though the number of cases has been taken under control in our country to a certain extent, there are still cases and it is still expected that the upcoming fall and winter months might especially witness an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases spread by droplets in our country, as in the case of the whole world."

Against this backdrop, the Health Ministry has referred to the recommendation of its COVID-19 Science Board:

"Within this context, the COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board established under the roof of our Ministry has recommended that the meetings of non-governmental organizations, professional organizations in the capacity of public institutions, unions or cooperatives, where it will be difficult to keep physical distance and which are expected to be attended by large numbers of people, should be postponed to a later date."

The circular letter of the Ministry of Interior has also reminded the public that an administrative action will be taken against the ones who do not abide by these decisions as per the related articles of the Law on Public Health.

In the event that the acts in question are considered to constitute a crime, a legal action will be taken as per the Article 195 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). (AS/SD)