Proposing to pass adaptation to constitutional package and some laws, particularly HSYK and Constitutional Court, AKP (Justice and Development Party) has declared ‘state of emergency’. Deputies were given a ban on leaving the country as the general assembly can’t reach the sufficient legal number.

AKP group management has started the first application of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan’s ban. The ban on leaving the country was introduced to TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey) Human Rights Research Commission in the first instance. The commission was going to attend the meeting in Bali on behalf of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu who won’t be able to attend the meeting despite being invited. However, the trip was asked to be cancelled after Erdoðan’s ban. Despite the rejection of Commission Chair Zafer üskül, AKP management cancelled the travel, showing Erdoðan’s clear attitude as the reason. AKP management wanted to cancel the 2nd travel of the commission to Swiss next week but Üskül resisted against the cancellation, stating that the tickets, reservations and appointments have already been organized. When the management therewith asked for restriction of deputy attendance to the travel, AKP members were wanted not to participate in the travel or to turn back earlier. The commission members described the subject as “double standard” and “the reflection of the view that the attitude towards human rights is the first thing to be sacrificed”.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil