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TURKEY'S NON-MUSLIMS CONCERNED OVER COURT SYSTEM CHANGES
PanARMENIAN.Net
June 30, 2012 - 11:42 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - As there is a government plan to pass a law that
would abolish or significantly curtail the powers of Turkey's specially
authorized courts, Turkey's non-Muslims have voiced their concerns
over this and indicated that progress in important cases must not be
affected by the changes, according to Today's Zaman.
"Our concern is in regards to the fate of current cases such as
Ergenekon, Zirve and Hrant Dink. Changes to the law must not affect
the progress of these key cases which are not only important for the
non-Muslim community but also for entire Turkey," said Tatyos Bebek,
a civil society activist from the Armenian community.
Bebek was referring to the Ergenekon case - a clandestine organization
nested within the state that was trying to manipulate and overthrow
the democratically elected government; the Cage (Kafes) case - a plan
that targeted Turkey's non-Muslims to create chaos and grounds for
military interference; the Zirve case, which involved the killing
of Christian missionaries in Malatya; and the murder of Hrant Dink,
editor-in-chief of Agos Armenian-Turkish weekly.
"Government officials say that ongoing cases will not be affected
by the changes. That's what we expect. If the changes are going to
eliminate the allegations that there are unfair practices conducted by
these special courts, then the new law will bring positive changes,"
said İvo Vedat Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Shalom, a Jewish
community newspaper in Turkey.
According to the government's plans, the new bill will be passed before
Parliament adjourns for summer recess on July 1. There are predictions
that the new law might lead to the release of hundreds of gang members,
drug traffickers, terrorists and terror suspects, Today's Zaman says.
PanARMENIAN.Net
June 30, 2012 - 11:42 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - As there is a government plan to pass a law that
would abolish or significantly curtail the powers of Turkey's specially
authorized courts, Turkey's non-Muslims have voiced their concerns
over this and indicated that progress in important cases must not be
affected by the changes, according to Today's Zaman.
"Our concern is in regards to the fate of current cases such as
Ergenekon, Zirve and Hrant Dink. Changes to the law must not affect
the progress of these key cases which are not only important for the
non-Muslim community but also for entire Turkey," said Tatyos Bebek,
a civil society activist from the Armenian community.
Bebek was referring to the Ergenekon case - a clandestine organization
nested within the state that was trying to manipulate and overthrow
the democratically elected government; the Cage (Kafes) case - a plan
that targeted Turkey's non-Muslims to create chaos and grounds for
military interference; the Zirve case, which involved the killing
of Christian missionaries in Malatya; and the murder of Hrant Dink,
editor-in-chief of Agos Armenian-Turkish weekly.
"Government officials say that ongoing cases will not be affected
by the changes. That's what we expect. If the changes are going to
eliminate the allegations that there are unfair practices conducted by
these special courts, then the new law will bring positive changes,"
said İvo Vedat Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Shalom, a Jewish
community newspaper in Turkey.
According to the government's plans, the new bill will be passed before
Parliament adjourns for summer recess on July 1. There are predictions
that the new law might lead to the release of hundreds of gang members,
drug traffickers, terrorists and terror suspects, Today's Zaman says.