BBCJ rallies behind the Venice Commission in condemning the attempted coup d’état in Turkey and its aftermath
July 21, 2016
The Association of Constitutional Justice of the Countries of the Baltic and Black Sea Regions (BBCJ) is rallying behind Venice Commission’s statement and it expresses its deep concern on the aftermath of the attempted coup d’état in Turkey.
According the Turkish media reports, nearly three thousand judges and prosecutors were arrested or removed from office, including two judges of the Constitutional Court and five members of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors. In such troubled times for Turkey, mass dismissals and arrests of judges are not an acceptable means of restoring democracy. “Like any citizen, each judge has the right to a fair procedure – disciplinary and/or criminal – during which his or her responsibility must be duly proved and his or her defence rights must be respected” mentioned in his statement the President of the Venice Commission, Mr. Gianni Buquicchio.
First and foremost, in a democratic society rule of law must be observed, i.e. the independence of the judiciary. An important component of the rule of law is represented by Constitutional Justice, administered by the Constitutional Court. The role of the Turkish Constitutional Court is essential in supporting the State and democracy, by ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and its observance by the State, as well as by preserving the rule of law and European human rights standards.
