Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, AK Party Secretary General Eyyüp Kadir İnan, MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor Aykut Çelik, Ankara Bar Association No. 2 President Gökhan Ağdemir and members of the judiciary attended the 2026-2027 Judicial Year Opening Program organized by Ankara Bar Association No. 2 at the Ankara Palace of Justice Conference Hall.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gürlek said that they always keep the concept of continuous consultation and joint solution production between the Ministry and bar associations on the agenda and that they attach importance to this issue.
Stating that Türkiye has gone through very difficult times in the past, and that the law and the judiciary were operated against the nation during the junta and coup periods, Gürlek said, "We have seen that structures such as FETO, with the support of international power centers, target our national security and try to turn our legal institutions into a tool of processes aimed at restricting rights and freedoms." he said.
Stating that there was an "earthquake" in the judicial system due to FETO and that the judicial system was rebuilt, Gürlek said, "In our country, as in everything else, we have completed an independent and citizen-service oriented structure in the judiciary with our rich human resources. We have managed to operate the wheels in the most effective and efficient way." he said.
Stating that today's social peace, political stability and civil representation ability have not always existed in Türkiye, and that the judiciary has been rendered inoperable by state of emergency practices for decades in the past, Gürlek said that the judiciary has witnessed legal systems that are intended to serve the tutelage, not the citizens. Gürlek said, "We are in a very good position as of today." he said.
Pointing out that a great price has been paid in this regard, Gürlek said, "We have gotten rid of the scourge of terrorism, which has become chronic from past to present and has become a shackle on the development, peace and security of our nation. We are extremely determined to eliminate this threat permanently. All these experiences clearly show the vital importance of unity and solidarity between the institutions of our state and all segments of our society." made his assessment.
Minister Gürlek stated that he met with bar association presidents and managements in every province he visited and that they directly consulted on professional issues.
Stating that he closely follows the work carried out by Ankara Bar Association No. 2 through the Turkish World Law Cooperation Commission, Gürlek continued as follows:
"While our political, economic and cultural ties with the Turkish world, with which we share common historical and civilizational values, are strengthened, I see it as important to develop the cooperation between our bar associations and lawyers in a wide range of areas, from education to arbitration, from legislative studies to mutual experience sharing. I wholeheartedly applaud the devoted work of these volunteer ambassadors in the Turkish world, which extends from the Adriatic to the Great Wall of China. I wholeheartedly congratulate our bar association management who work in this field and all our lawyers who contribute to these studies."
"The Turkish nation will continue to serve justice and law wherever and whenever they need it."
Gürlek stated that the efforts of all employees of the justice organization, consisting of judges, prosecutors and lawyers, complement each other. Pointing out that the goal of members of the judiciary is to build together an order in which rights are delivered to their owners on time and citizens live in legal security, Gürlek emphasized that their doors are open to any constructive, applicable and solution-oriented proposals to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
Stating that the world legal order is going through a historical test, Gürlek said, "The double standards exhibited by most Western countries, which always talk about human rights, the rule of law and human dignity, in the face of serious grievances, have seriously shaken the trust in international law." he said.
Reminding that there are people who have been subjected to migration, genocide and massacres in the nearby geography for decades, Gürlek said, "We have all witnessed that they have been deprived of a just world order, as if proving that a drop of human blood is more valuable than a drop of oil." he said.
Gürlek stated that different attitudes are exhibited against cruelty and injustice depending on the identity of the victim, his belief or the geography he lives in, and pointed out that this damages the claim of universality of international law.
Stating that international organizations are ineffective and the rules of law are applied in different ways according to the interests of powerful states, Gürlek said, "In this period, Turkey continues to adopt a consistent approach against human rights violations and strive for the effective implementation of international law, with the contribution of our legal institutions, bar associations and lawyers. I say clearly, this is one of the most important duties inherited from the history of the Turkish nation and the primary responsibilities it bears. The Turkish nation will continue to be there for justice and law wherever and to whomever needs it. This situation we are faced with is justice-centered, consistent and independent." "It once again reveals the importance of a stance." he said.
Gürlek emphasized that Türkiye, with its "political stability, developing economy, will for national unity and brotherhood, deep-rooted state tradition and strong legal system", will continue to be the hope of those seeking justice in its region and in the world, and continued his words as follows:
"The way to do this is to first strengthen our own internal front, protect our unity and solidarity, and build the safe future of our country on solid foundations. A Turkey that is strong, peaceful and in solidarity within itself will make much greater contributions to the peace of humanity, regional stability and global justice. A society with a weak internal front is always doomed to disappear. About a hundred years ago, there were occupying forces advancing right next to Ankara, which was the center of our War of Independence. Their cannon fire reached as far as Polatlı. Here "We should learn from our history and never be complacent. Undoubtedly, the strongest foundation on which a strong Türkiye will rise is the security of justice and law."
"No one can see himself or herself in a privileged or privileged position."
Minister Gürlek stated that everyone is equal before the law and no one can be exempt from the sanctions of the law.
Expressing that justice is the lifeblood that everyone needs, Gürlek said, "No one can see themselves in a privileged or privileged position. The conscience of society will never allow this, and the Turkish judiciary will continue to perform its duty uncompromisingly on this issue. The peace and security of our citizens is our most important priority. Their conscience is our most accurate scale that reflects the truth." he said.
Gürlek stated that recently popular personalities, who should be an example to the society, have damaged national and moral values and poisoned especially the younger generations with their lifestyles that encourage lawlessness, and added: "We have determinedly taken up these problems by carrying out the necessary legal procedures. Every person and institution that paves the way for cultural and moral collapse is among our primary targets, which we closely observe and take precautions against." he said.
Gürlek stated that they took steps to protect the rule of law and the rights of the nation against anyone who abuses the social solidarity projects that people carried out in good faith, and added: "We have taken the necessary preventive measures against individuals and institutions who try to circumvent our laws in every field." he said.
"We must continue to act with common sense"
Minister of Justice Gürlek said that one of the most important elements of the legal order is the profession of lawyer, and that the profession of lawyer represents the defense.
Underlining that individuals and institutions representing the legal profession should not stray away from their professional goals, Gürlek emphasized that it is of great importance for lawyers to protect their independence, professional ethics and the rule of law under all circumstances, without being influenced by political or ideological conflicts.
Stating that they follow with great sensitivity the work carried out to enable lawyers to fulfill their duties under better conditions, Gürlek said, "Although we work at different points of the judicial activity, our common goal is to reveal the truth and ensure the manifestation of justice. Our problems and the solutions we will produce for these problems are common. We must continue to talk around the same table, listen to each other and act with common sense for a stronger legal system." he said.
Reminding that they included strengthening the defense and ensuring the more effective participation of lawyers in judicial processes as one of their main goals in the Judicial Reform Strategy Document, Gürlek said, "We continue our work in many areas, from the preparations of the New Attorney Law to the expansion of access to information and documents, from supporting our young, committed and public lawyers to improving working conditions with CMK (Criminal Procedure Law) and legal aid services." he said.
Gürlek stated that they will continue to take steps in consultation with bar associations to reduce the tax burden on legal services, develop UYAP and e-hearing applications, combat violence against lawyers due to their professional activities, and expand representation by lawyers.
Reminding that the first part of the 12th Judicial Package has been enacted and entered into force, Gürlek said, "Hopefully, we will bring the second part to the agenda in October. We hope to add some regulations to solve the problems experienced by our lawyers to this package, which we envisage to consist of 24-25 articles. We constantly discuss these issues with the Honorable President of our Bar Association No. 2 in Ankara, and evaluate the demands and expectations of our lawyers in consultation." he said.
Pointing out that there were also requests from lawyers regarding gun license fees, Gürlek said, "We had discussions with our Ministry of Finance on this issue, and thank you, they helped us. Hopefully, in the package that will be on the agenda in October, we reached a common agreement that the gun license fee will be charged at half the rate for the first application, and no fee will be charged for subsequent renewals." He stated:
Rent determination cases are aimed to be completed in 9 months
Minister of Justice Gürlek emphasized that lawyers must know how long it will take for the cases they file to be concluded, and therefore judges and prosecutors must comply with the target periods determined in the judiciary.
"We aim to complete rent determination cases in 9 months and eviction cases in 1.5 years." Gürlek stated that measures to prevent divorce cases from prolonging are also on the agenda.
Touching on the issue of "indefinite alimony", Gürlek said, "Following the annulment decision of the Constitutional Court, we plan to implement the necessary legal regulations regarding indefinite alimony within the scope of the package in October. We do not want our lawyers to spend their time and shifts waiting in the courtrooms and courthouse corridors." he said.
Minister of Justice Gürlek pointed out that one of the ways to achieve the "Strong Turkey target" is through a strong legal order and said, "While realizing the vision of the Century of Justice, we will continue our will to move our state of law, democracy and fundamental rights further without giving up our goal of a civil, democratic and encompassing constitution." he said.
