Justice Commission begins discussions on 4th judicial reform package

The parliamentary Justice Commission began discussions on Turkey's fourth judicial reform package -- which mainly aims to do away with violations of human rights, ensure fair trials, expand the boundaries of freedom of expression and prevent lengthy detentions and trials.

The commission, led by Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Ankara deputy Ahmet İyimaya, gathered to begin the talks on Thursday morning.

An updated definition of terrorism in accordance with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is expected to be made in this judicial package. The new definition will most likely have resorting to violence as its main criterion, while acts that do not entail any violence, such as propagating ideas, are expected to be left out of the definition, a step that will pave the way for the release of hundreds of prisoners in court cases related to the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella organization encompassing the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Lengthy imprisonment periods and arrests easily ordered by courts have been another major source of complaints in recent years in Turkey, and the new judicial package is also expected to address these deficiencies in the legal system.

The fourth judicial package is also expected to include articles aimed at prohibiting torture and maltreatment, preventing violations of freedom and the right to security, eliminating obstacles before freedom of speech and liberty of conscience, strengthening the rights of the accused, reinforcing the efficiency of defense efforts and protecting of privacy and family life in a more solid way.

The package will also cover freedom of the press and is anticipated to have an amendment requiring tangible evidence to initiate court cases against members of the press.

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