Turkey's bar association hails judicial reform document

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's bar association head on Monday hailed a document which was approved earlier this year to reform the judiciary.

"The Judicial Reform Strategy Document is proper. It focuses on permanent solutions and was prepared with the most pluralistic and participatory understanding under our Ministry of Justice," Metin Feyzioglu said at the judicial year opening day ceremony in the capital Ankara.

This year Turkey is set to carry through the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, a plan unveiled on May 30 to improve the working of the nation's judiciary.

He praised contributors to the document saying it is exemplary and sets a benchmark unlike any other in the last 25 years.

Feyzioglu also said that Union of Turkish Bar Associations is not an opponent or supporter of any political party.

He went on to say that the bar effectively made contributions to the document and stressed reforms should immediately be realized.

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization by orchestrating the defeated coup attempt of July 15 wanted to push Turkey down the path of civil war, but the nation prevented it with an iron fist, he added.

Ismail Rustu Cirit, the first president on the Court of Cassation board, said that independence of judiciary from all pressure groups, especially power of legislative and executive, is the unchangeable principle of the state of law.

"It is important that judicial year openings are made publicly with the participation of all parties, in a transparent and democratic way," Cirit said.

He went on to say that realizing the nine targets in the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, will contribute to strength of the justice system.