30.01.2025 15:40
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that turning legal processes into political material is the epitome of irresponsibility. President Erdoğan said, "No one can interfere with the judiciary. The Turkish judiciary broke down the walls of fear on the night of July 15."
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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the Judicial Judiciary Judges and Public Prosecutors and Administrative Judiciary Judges Lottery Ceremony.
Stating that the judiciary's actions can be criticized as long as it stays within the rules of courtesy, President Erdoğan said, "Turning processes that have been referred to the judiciary into political material, putting judges and prosecutors under pressure, and targeting them through their families and children is the epitome of irresponsibility."
Erdoğan, who said, "No one can dictate to the judiciary," expressed, "Turkish judiciary has broken down the walls of fear on the night of July 15."
Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"With the lottery ceremony, the number of our judges and public prosecutors has reached 25,695. Justice is to separate the rightful from the unjust, to serve unconditionally to measure and order."
"WE ARE TAKING ANOTHER STRONG STEP"
We are taking another strong step towards the rapid, effective, and sustainable implementation of justice services across our country. Justice is to separate the rightful from the unjust, to adhere unconditionally to order. In both our national and spiritual structure, measure and justice play a vital role like the heart. Our beliefs and cultural values teach us that the world is sustained by justice and measure. As a nation, we possess a legacy that has never deviated from the compass of justice, not only in our strong times but also during the deepest crises.
"YOU MUST CUT AND REMOVE ILLEGALITIES LIKE A KNIFE"
We expect you, our young judiciary members who will make decisions on behalf of the Turkish nation, to work with sensitivity. You must cut and remove illegalities like a knife. Remember, the burden of every citizen who arrives at the door of justice and leaves with their head down, unable to obtain their rights, is on all of us in this world and the hereafter. The judiciary, which was under the influence of the coup mentality since May 27 during a period of single-party fascism, is the judiciary of the old Turkey. The judiciary that looks down on citizens who come to seek justice and distributes hopelessness instead of justice is the judiciary of the old Turkey. A judiciary divided into ideological camps like on February 28 is the judiciary of the old Turkey. We have faced this understanding of the judiciary many times. From being imprisoned for reading a poem to the closure case of our party, this mindset and these habits are now in the past.
"NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW"
Today, those circles trying to interfere in judicial processes are dreaming of the old Turkey and trying to preserve the privileges they have gained. They want to engage in politics and journalism outside the law, to play with power. They see themselves entitled to violate the most basic legal principles. They do not hesitate to invade people's privacy and undermine their dignity. They think that the principle of the rule of law does not bind them. Sometimes, due to their positions, professions, or economic statuses, they believe they can violate the constitution and laws, but they are increasingly facing the reality that they are not outside the scope of the judiciary. The arrogance of thinking, "I can threaten whoever I want, no one can touch me," will crash against the hard wall of truth. In Turkey, no one is above the law, no one is above the judiciary. We are a nation that sees the law above everything.
"NO ONE CAN DICTATE TO THE JUDICIARY"
You can criticize the judiciary's actions as long as you stay within the rules of courtesy. You are not obliged to accept every decision as correct. You can make your objections through legal channels and express criticisms in a proper manner. In the past, we have also criticized some decisions. We shared the aspects we found incorrect. We have never resorted to shaking a finger at the judiciary, discrediting it, or threatening legal professionals who perform their duties. We are all obliged to provide the necessary support for the judiciary to fulfill its duties properly. Turning processes that have been referred to the judiciary into political material, putting judges and prosecutors under pressure, and targeting them through their families and children is the epitome of irresponsibility. No one can dictate to the judiciary. The Turkish judiciary has broken down the walls of fear on the night of July 15."
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