Gul signs law tightening grip on Turkey judiciary

Riot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators as they try to march to the Turkish Parliament during a protest against the government. INSET: Gul: has said that it is not his place to challenge legislation.

DPA/AFP

Ankara

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has approved a controversial law that increases government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, with the bill amended at last minute to satisfy concerns over its constitutionality.

The new law, which sparked fistfights among lawmakers debating it in parliament, will give the justice ministry greater control over the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), an independent body responsible for appointing members of the judiciary.

The legislation has been strongly condemned by the opposition and by rights groups, raising questions abroad about the state of democracy in Turkey.

The bill has been seen by critics as an authoritarian response to a corruption scandal that is currently shaking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

The European Union and Human Rights Watch have voiced concerns about the law, which sparked a parliamentary row between Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Republican People Party (CHP).

Gul last week shrugged off calls to reject the bill, saying it was not his place to challenge legislation.

Before approving the bill, he backpedalled on certain elements deemed by critics to be unconstitutional.

Among the last-minute changes was a move to limit the justice minister’s control over the judicial oversight body, Gul said, adding that the Constitutional Court would have the final say on the amendments.

The move comes after Gul approved another controversial law which gives the state the powers to access users’ Internet browsing history and to shut down websites without a court order.

The legislative changes have been described by critics as an authoritarian response to a bribery and corruption investigation that has implicated some of Erdogan’s top political and business allies.

Sons of ministers have also been caught up in the probe.

In the wake of the scandal, the government has reassigned hundreds of police officers and prosecutors to new posts, raising concerns that it is trying to stifle investigations.

The development comes after alleged wiretapped conversations between Erdogan and his son discussing ways of disposing of vast amounts of cash were leaked on the Internet.

Erdogan says the recordings are fabricated, referring to the clip featuring his son as a “montage”.

The premier also condemned the recordings as a “vile attack” by his rivals.

Analysts have also questioned their authenticity.

The corruption allegations and the legislative changes have prompted a series of protests that continued yesterday.

In Istanbul, hundreds of people joined an afternoon rally organised by the CHP.

Protesters called top government officials “thieves” and demanded Erdogan’s resignation.

Additional protests also took place in Istanbul.

Demonstrations took place on Tuesday in six cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, with some turning violent as protesters clashed with police, who used tear gas and water cannons.

The country is holding local elections next month, the results of which will be seen as an indication of the popularity of Erdogan’s AKP.