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Turkey's Top Judge Slammed "Attempts To Influence" Court
In his speech at the ceremony to mark the 46th anniversary of the founding of Turkey's High Constitutional Court, Chief Justice Hasim Kilic emphasized the importance of the separation of powers, the rule of law in democracies and said, "We are saddened by the national as well as the international attempts to manipulate, influence and pressure the court". Kilic said that in a country where an ideology and faith are imposed on the people, there cannot be a pluralistic democracy. It is an undeniable fact that there is a crisis and mistrust between the political, ethnic and religious segments of our society. Fears among people cannot be ignored; and unless those who are in power find the solutions to alleviate these fears and doubts, the crack can only deepen. Seeking support from any source other than the law itself can only destroy our country. Democracy does not mean absolute power of the majority, which would only lead to despotism". Kilic said that targeting members of the judiciary by some media organs may have grave consequences – as it did in the past [when judges were fatally shot]; and attempts to pressure the Court constitute an assault on the free conscience of the judges. AKP and EU officials have been attacking Turkish judiciary for the lawsuit filed against the ruling AKP for being a "center of anti-secular activities". AKP and the EU claimed that a decision to close down the ruling party would hurt democracy, and threatened that such a move would lead to the suspension of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations. Source: Anatolia News Agency, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 25, 2008
Posted at: 2008-04-28
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