Justice Minister Gül: More democracy means more daily bread

* Photo: Mustafa Murat Kaynak - Ankara / AA

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"From the work undertaken by a municipality to the work undertaken by a public institution... I mean, you appoint your wife, daughter, your entire family to the university, then justice... Justice is not something distributed only by the judiciary or at courts. Justice is an ideal, an idea..."

Turkey's Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül has spoken to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) Editor's Desk about the Human Rights Action Plan, which was unveiled by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (March 3).

Commenting on the plan, Gül has referred to the AKP as a "reformist party of Turkey" and said, "It is a step of the AK Party's constant and uninterrupted journey of reforms since the day it was founded. In other words, we are constantly pedalling; otherwise, we will fall down."

'If there is legal and economic security...'

As reported by the AA, Gül has said that legal security is "the most important principle" in Turkey's new Human Rights Action Plan.

Minister Gül has noted that "if there is legal and economic security in a country, it can take firm steps forward to the future."

When there is legal security in the country, it guarantees people's freedoms, security, economic investments, and employment, he has said, adding: 

"If there is a deficit of democracy in a country, it means that there is a budget deficit in that country. If there is more democracy, people have more bread on their table. If freedoms increase, our daily bread and jobs increase as well. All of these are a result of this climate."

The Human Rights Action Plan is a reminder not only to courts, judges, and prosecutors but to the public in every field, he has said, adding that all people will feel the positive impact of the plan in all areas.

"Since it concerns all our citizens, we have worked on the issue with all segments of the society," Justice Minister Gül has said and added, "We will set our goals and open them to our nation's control."

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'Everyone will be more free'

Answering the questions of journalists, Gül has noted that "the action plan will enable everyone living in the country to become more free individuals, and help build a stronger society as well as a more democratic Turkey."

"This is not a law text, but a goodwill document," he has said, adding that it is not a text just for political parties, but for all people. On the critics about the plan, he has said that they will examine all arguments "with great care" and treat them as constructive and serious criticisms.

'Constitution process will be participatory'

Regarding the debates on a new constitution, Gül has said that Turkey wants to make the new constitution process a participatory one. Recalling that 19 amendments were made to the constitution, he has said that a new constitution will be the "common will that will enable enhancing democracy, freedoms and reaching Turkey's goals set for 2023."

The constitution is Turkey's fundamental document of everyone's will to live together regardless of their thoughts, beliefs, and ethnicity, Minister Gül has emphasized, saying that most of the society does not embrace "the spirit or even the text" of the current constitution.

'A constitution made by coup plotters'

Referring to the current constitution of Turkey, Gül has said that "the government does not force on adopting a certain constitution, but calls upon the whole nation and all elected political parties to bring their suggestions to get rid of a constitution made by coup plotters."

"Is Turkey still obliged to be governed by a constitution made by the coup plotters," he has asked and added: "Are civilians, political parties, parties represented in the parliament incapable of making a [new] constitution? Of course not. Turkey deserves that and I believe that it [the country] will come up with this constitution in the coming period."

A new constitution is a "very important text as a social contract" in terms of democracy, for "walking firmly together to the future" for the sake of the country, and further protecting the nation's unity and solidarity, he has said and added, "I believe that we will realize this social contract by embracing it together with all segments of the society."

'Electoral threshold has no meaning anymore'

According to the new Human Rights Action Plan, the country will start comprehensive work to revise the political parties and electoral laws.

A new law on political parties and elections that Turkey needs would envisage more political participation, Gül has said.

Referring to the 10-percent electoral threshold, he has said, "It is the discretion of the parliament, but since stability in administration is subject to constitutional guarantees, I think the threshold has no meaning anymore."

Gül has added that "all necessary steps should be taken to ensure even a single voter participates more effectively in the country's administration."

Turkey's EU accession process

Regarding Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid, Gul has said that "regardless of the EU approach, the country will continue to carry out its reforms with an attitude that our citizens deserve the best."

Turkey has made "important preparations" for the EU visa exemption, he has said, adding that if the EU "sincerely" contributes to the process, positive results will be achieved. "We expect the visa exemption process to be successfully completed," he has indicated further.

Stressing that Turkey maintains good relations with the EU based on mutual protection of rights and interests, Minister of Justice Gül has said that Turkey cares about the accession process to the EU.

Turkey's stance on the issue has not changed, while the EU attitude sometimes fluctuates, Gül has argued. (AS/SD)