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Death knell looms for Turkey's judicial independence

Turkey’s government has drafted an unprecedented bill to pave the way for a massive purge in the highest echelons of the judiciary, which many believe will spell the death of judicial independence.
Turkish riot police stand guard in front of the Justice Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, March 31, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX2HU7P
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Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has long been under fire for eroding judicial independence, but as it recently turned out, it had kept the real rabbit in the hat. On June 13, the government submitted to parliament a bill envisaging a massive purge at two of the country's highest courts, which many say will put the last nail in the coffin of judicial independence and separation of powers.

The bill envisages the removal of all members of the Supreme Court of Appeals and the Council of State, the top administrative court, except for their presidents, chief prosecutors and department chiefs. The changes would affect about 700 judges. The Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) would then make new appointments from scratch. Most of the incumbent judges — particularly those seen as troublesome, according to critics — are bound to clean out their desks as the bill cuts down available positions to 416 and then gradually to less than 300.

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