19.07.2024 00:00
A debate on "stray animals" arose in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). The argument between CHP Deputy Group Chairman Gökhan Günaydın and AK Party Deputy Group Chairman Muhammed Emin Akbaşoğlu took a different turn after a while, revolving around Metin Kıratlı's appointment to the Constitutional Court. Günaydın expressed his reaction, saying, "So now, he became an independent, impartial member of the Constitutional Court, and he will distribute justice in the country, right? While they cannot provide 12 thousand liras to retirees, the man who spent 168 thousand liras on a meal is now a member of the Constitutional Court."
The discussion on "stray animals" arose during the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) while group deputy leaders were speaking. The debate between AK Party and CHP deputies evolved into a different dimension over the issue of Metin Kıratlı's appointment to the Constitutional Court. The moments when tension rose in the TBMM were captured on camera.
The General Assembly of the TBMM convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Celal Adan to discuss the "Law Proposal on Amendments to Some Laws and Decree Laws" which includes measures for savings.
During the speeches of the group deputy leaders in the General Assembly discussions, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın said, "Yesterday, the discussion on regulations regarding stray animals started in the Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission. We all witnessed that images that are not worthy of the TBMM emerged one after another. First, the doors of the Assembly were closed with barricades. Who were the barricades made against? People from all walks of life can come here, those who demand the collection of stray animals, those who demand their killing, those who demand their survival. It seemed like a barricade was made against all these people, but then it was understood that civil society organizations, democratic mass organizations, professional organizations that took a stance in favor of preserving life were prevented from entering. "
Günaydın said, "So, what happened to those who were able to enter? First, the narrow Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission meeting room was shown, and when it was not enough for anyone, they were taken to the Planning and Budget Commission. The corridor of the Planning and Budget Commission was surrounded by police officers. I have never seen such a scene in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. In the corridors of the Assembly, police officers are separating citizens who are trying to enter the hall with the help of deputies, preventing them from entering the Commission by holding their arms and legs. These are not scenes that can be considered appropriate on behalf of the Assembly. You have banners in your hands, and the deputies are trying to provoke an incident there. Let me be very clear: The Republican People's Party is here to listen to the voice of the citizens. We foresee that every living being can coexist. Of course, we feel the pain of our citizens who are harmed by stray dogs deeply, and we will take necessary measures to prevent this, but it cannot be done with coercive and outdated practices aimed at killing. "
"I STRONGLY CONDEMN THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO WALKED OVER A TEARFUL MOTHER" AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu said, "It has deeply wounded all consciences that the members of parliament, who represent the will of the people and perform their duties on behalf of the people, pointed fingers at a tearful mother who lost a 10-year-old daughter there and said, 'What is this woman doing here? She is just putting on a show.' I want to express that I condemn those who behaved like this in front of the whole General Assembly. Likewise, when a baby's skull was shattered, and the tearful father expressed his feelings and our parliamentary colleague's statement, 'Preserve the life of the people so that the state can live; people first,' was applauded by these people, I strongly condemn the members of parliament who walked over the tearful mother and father in your presence. This is unacceptable. What kind of deviation is this, what kind of heartlessness is this? We will protect the rights of stray dogs, we will protect the rights of the environment, but we will definitely protect the rights of our children and we are determined to do so. We will solve this problem by protecting the rights of animals, the rights of our people, and the rights of the environment. "
"IF THE STREETS ARE NOT SAFE, IT IS A RESULT OF THE AKP GOVERNMENT" CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın, in response to Akbaşoğlu's words, said, "I will not try to raise my voice like Mr. Akbaşoğlu to increase the power of my words. I will try to express my thoughts in a very reasonable tone. Istanbul and Ankara have been governed by AKP mayors continuously for 25 years from 1994 to 2019. The central government has been governed by the AKP government continuously for 22 years from 2002 to 2024. Therefore, if the streets are not safe in this country today, if there is a problem with stray animals, it is a result of the AKP administration that cannot identify the problem, cannot create a suitable solution, cannot coordinate between the municipalities and the central government, and cannot create a fund. Trying to blame the opposition for this result is an AKP classic. "
"UNSUBSTANTIATED ACCUSATIONS MAKE ONE A SLANDERER AND A LIAR" Upon Günaydın's statements, AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu, said, "Let me state this very clearly: We are aware of what we are doing. The agenda of our people is our agenda. We are in an approach that will embrace and encompass all 85 million, and will fully realize the rights of every right holder by considering the rights of animals, the rights of the environment, and the rights of people. The law we previously enacted was 'Catch, neuter, and release,' 'Leave where you took it.' Now it is 'Catch, neuter, hold, and adopt.' It contains a regulation that also puts the responsibility of the owners. However, let me state this, as mentioned before: Associate Professor Dr. Metin Kıratlı, who previously served as the Head of Administrative and Financial Affairs, yes, was appointed to the Constitutional Court. He has previously served in various positions in the Ministry of Justice, he has served as a judge on the podium, he has served as the General Director of Criminal Affairs. He is a jurist, and all his qualifications make him eligible to be elected and entitled to be a member of the Constitutional Court in terms of constitutional and legal meaning. At the same time, those who claim that some FETÖ-affiliated websites have had dinner with him and a bill of 168 thousand liras has been paid must prove their allegations. The accuser is obliged to prove their allegations. Those who mention the dinner bill and its amount here must present this bill in front of everyone's eyes.
"DÜNYANIN HERHANGİ BİR ÜLKESİNDE BÖYLE BİR ŞEY OLMAZ"
"THERE IS NO SUCH THING IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD" Günaydın, who spoke again after Akbaşoğlu's statements, said, "Now, we need to go with a logic theory. I did not discuss Metin Kıratlı's legal competence, if such a subject is opened, we can do that too. My question is simple, currently a person who is a civil servant of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been appointed as a member of the Constitutional Court, which is responsible for judging Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I say this cannot happen in any legal country in the world. Friend, he says to me, 'He is a law professor.' Whether he is a professor or a doctor; friend, give an answer to this. That's it, where will you go by avoiding the subject like this? I will say one more thing. Whatever you don't like in Turkey, either FETÖ has done it, or PKK has done it, or DHKP-C has done it. These friends, 2 people, their names, surnames, AKP provincial deputy chairman, the name of the restaurant, all of them were revealed, the price was revealed," he said.
"EMEKLİYE 12 BİN LİRA VEREMEZKEN BİR YEMEĞE 168 BİN LİRAYA VEREN ADAM ŞİMDİ ANAYASA MAHKEMESİ ÜYESİ" Günaydın, who claimed that Kıratlı had a 168 thousand lira meal with an AK Party Provincial Deputy Chairman last week, said, "Now, he became an independent, impartial member of the Constitutional Court, and will distribute justice in the country, right? Of course, what is his first action? Access to these news about the 168 thousand lira meal has been blocked. While he cannot give 12 thousand lira to retirees, a person who gives 168 thousand lira for a meal is now a member of the Constitutional Court," he said.
"MİLLETİMİZ KİMİN SAMİMİ OLDUĞUNU GÖRÜYOR" Upon Günaydın's words, Akbaşoğlu said, "Isn't it the most natural and simple thing to remind the general rule of law? Isn't the claimant the one who needs to provide evidence? Let me say something imaginary about you too; 'Throw mud, let the trace remain.' Let the slanders stick to you, then try to prove that it is not true. Where in the world has such a reverse burden of proof system been seen, only in the logic of the opposition. Really, I have difficulty in understanding. I am a lawyer. Ultimately, he entered into a content discussion a while ago, but he made an approach that completely contradicts himself. I couldn't find it appropriate. Our people see who is sincere and who is a trickster, that's why they keep us in power, thank God," he said.
"'ŞEREFSİZSİN' LAFLARI ARTIK KOKTU" Günaydın, who spoke again in response to Akbaşoğlu's statements, said, "Certainly, I am not pursuing a personal polemic, but the friend's speeches really motivate me. Hey, you are a politician, brother, when someone says something about you, you cannot shout from here saying 'You are dishonorable if you cannot prove your claim' because you are a member of parliament, because you are a member of the Constitutional Court, because you are the president of the Presidency's whatever. They put a photo there, you are sitting in that restaurant, sitting with the AKP provincial deputy chairman. You should say, 'I am a politician, I am accountable to my people' and come out and prove that such a thing does not exist. What are you saying? 'The one who cannot prove is dishonorable,' we are fed up with these 'The one who cannot prove is dishonorable' words. We are politicians, we are responsible for being accountable. Let me say this for myself: I am 60 years old, I have been in politics for thirty years. A person can stop me on the street and grab my collar and say, 'How did you buy your car, give an account. How did you buy your house, give an account.' I am obliged to give an account of all of these to them because I am a politician. The words like 'dishonorable' are enough, enough, we are tired of them," he said.
"ŞEREFSİZ KELİMESİNİ KULLANMADIM" Upon the continuation of the discussions, Akbaşoğlu spoke again and said, "A word emphasis was made about me a while ago. My words are very clear, legal words. I did not use the word 'dishonorable', it can be checked; I used the word 'slanderer', it can be checked. 'Slanderer' means someone who makes false, untrue accusations. Dishonorable has a different meaning dimension," he said.
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