Bill Aims to Avoid Ambiguity on Statute of Limitations

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Şırnak deputy Kaplan submitted a bill proposal to remove the statute of limitation for “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” charges in Articles 77 and 76 respectively according Turkish Penal Code (TCK). 

Kaplan told bianet that he submitted the proposal for the removal of statute of limitation in cases related to disappearance cases in the aftermath of September 12 Military Coup and 1990s as well as unclaimed killings, massacres and various massacres in Turkey. 

“In 2004, there have been amendments in TCK and charges related to genocide and crimes against humanity have been regulated. Even though the aforementioned articles foresee no statute of limitations but they don’t include the cases prior to its legislation. There are even some cases pending at Constitutional Court to stop the statute of limitations process. All unclaimed killings, disappearances are crimes against humanity.

Kaplan added that he has proposed the bill to avoid ambiguity regarding the cases where statute of limitations could be issued due to the timing of the incident. 

“If this proposal is not accepted, even September 12 Coup case [where Turkey’s then-military chief Kenan Evren is standing trial] can benefit from statute of limitations.”

Kaplan also reminded that the aforementioned article on genocide and crimes against humanity were never applied in Turkey. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.