02.12.2025 15:26
President Erdoğan made statements at the lottery ceremony for Judicial Judges and Public Prosecutors, as well as Administrative Judges. Stating that "everyone will accept the new Turkey where freedoms are applied equally," Erdoğan emphasized, "Justice is the cornerstone of our state and social order. Its existence is the highest virtue, while its absence is a disaster for social life."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the Judicial Judiciary Judges and Public Prosecutors and Administrative Judiciary Judges Lottery Ceremony held at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"Esteemed representatives of our legislative and judicial bodies, valuable members of our justice organization, esteemed judges and prosecutors, dear guests, I greet you with my heartfelt feelings and respect. I am very pleased to host you at our complex on the occasion of the 28th term Judicial Judiciary Judges and Public Prosecutors and the 18th term Administrative Judiciary Judges Lottery Ceremony."
"TURKEY HAS CAPTURED A VERY DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE"
I find it particularly important that out of more than 25,000 judges and public prosecutors, 9,812 are women members of the judiciary. It is also commendable that five of the eight young friends who ranked in the 28th and 18th terms are women; this is also gratifying. I especially congratulate them on behalf of our first-place winners.
We sometimes witness intolerances that exceed the limits of decency and morality regarding our headscarf-wearing judiciary members. I want it to be known that we follow these reactions, which are incompatible with reason, conscience, and law, with deep regret and astonishment. Turkey has left these behind. As Turkey frees itself from the democratic shame that pushes women out of life, it has captured a very different atmosphere.
It may take some time, and there may be some difficulties in digesting this, but I hope everyone will accept the new Turkey where freedoms are applied equally to all. Everyone will get used to women taking honorable places in different areas of life without distinction between public and private.
I want to remind my young friends who are eagerly waiting for the lottery draw of a few points; dear young brothers and sisters, you will soon start your duties as justice soldiers in every corner of the country as a result of the draws that will be held shortly. You will work not as someone who receives a salary and retreats to a corner, but as a child of the homeland with a free conscience, free mind, and free heart for justice and the realization of justice.
"THE ABSENCE OF JUSTICE IS A CATASTROPHE FOR SOCIAL LIFE"
Dear guests, my esteemed friends, it is certain that justice is the pivot of our state and social order. Its existence is the highest virtue, while its absence is a catastrophe for social life. Look at how Gencevi Nizami describes the place of justice in our lives; the pillar of the homeland is justice, and your share in justice is always happiness. The cornerstone of peace, prosperity, happiness, and development in the country is justice. For this reason, as a requirement of our faith, we say that the property belongs to Allah; we also accept justice as the foundation of property.
In 2002, the number of judges and prosecutors was 9,349, and with the draws we will hold shortly, it will reach 26,803. We increased the number of our courts operating in the judicial judiciary from 3,581 to 8,681, and the number in the administrative judiciary from 146 to 239. In just the last two and a half years, we established 3,474 courts and appellate courts in the judicial and administrative judiciary.
We shortened the time it takes to close cases in the judiciary. In this area, we have left many European countries behind. Now, both our judicial and administrative courts resolve cases very quickly.
I believe that even just these two statistics will help demonstrate the progress we have made in this regard: According to the reports of the Council of Europe’s Commission on the Efficiency of Justice, the average case processing time in our administrative courts is 168 days. I draw your attention; this period is 314 days in France, 308 days in Germany, and 574 days in Italy. While the case processing time in our regional administrative courts is 136 days, it is 325 days in Spain, 329 days in France, and 460 days in Germany. Turkey has reached this stage with great dedication. Despite this positive picture, we still have a long way to go. I hope we will walk this path shoulder to shoulder with patience.
"JUDICIARY MEMBERS CANNOT BE TARGETED"
Dear friends, esteemed judges and prosecutors; wearing the robe of a judge and sitting in the seat of judgment does not alone free a person from their weaknesses, faults, and shortcomings that stem from being human. Judges and prosecutors are not truth hunters who do not know what error is. Without the sincere contributions of those participating in the trial, it is not possible to give the color of truth to the conclusion reached or the judgment established.
However, the place our judges and prosecutors hold in today's social perception has made them the central figures of justice. You will appreciate that this entails a very significant and heavy responsibility. The only formula for carrying this responsibility rightly is to walk towards the destination of justice under the guidance of reason and the supervision of conscience. Of course, reason must be nourished by knowledge; conscience must reject prejudices. It is only possible to protect the state and social order by establishing justice.
I believe that the following truth must always be kept in mind: The virtues we cherish for our survival are; a just state, a strong nation, and free individuals. If we want to be sure of our future, we must protect and strengthen these together.
"RESPECT FOR THE NATURAL OPERATION OF THE JUDICIARY IS NECESSARY"
I want to especially remind you of this: Everyone, including the political institution and the media, must respect the natural operation of the judiciary. We must support our judiciary members who do their jobs with integrity and honesty within the framework of the constitution and laws.
The calmness of judiciary members who can only speak with their decisions should not be perceived as a weakness. No one should exploit this. I regret to express that there is not enough care in this regard. Especially in recent months, it has been observed that an irresponsible tone targeting our judiciary members, often bordering on threats, has dominated politics. The reason for this is the severity and seriousness of the allegations being addressed. Those who try to paralyze the justice system by threatening and harassing judges and prosecutors at every opportunity are most afraid of the deep anxiety they feel about their masks falling before justice.
One of the fundamental principles of law is this; for the prosecution office, it is a legal obligation, not a choice, to file a public case when there is sufficient suspicion of qualified crimes such as bribery, embezzlement, and rigging of tenders."