Statute of limitations on torture is to be abolished by the planned amendments within the fourth judicial reform package. The package also changes the regulation that requires the permission of the higher authority to prosecute public officials involved in manslaughter/murder or wounding.
The fourth judicial reform package, prepared by Ministry of Justice, will be discussed at the Council of Ministers next week. During drafting the reform package convictions by the the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are taken into account. According to the news on Hurriyet daily, the package aims to amend the laws on press freedom, freedom of expression as well as on torture.
According to the new package regulations, there would be no statute of limitations on torture within the scope of "crimes against humanity" in new Turkish Penal Code and now, the statute of limitations is completely eliminated. (IC)
