Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek attended the '2026 OECD Global Roundtable Meeting on Equal Access to Justice' held in Istanbul. Minister Gürlek made statements before the meeting and bilateral meetings.
Stating that they held extensive consultations with ministers of justice, members of the judiciary and lawyers from 30 countries participating in the summit, Minister Akın Gürlek said, "We recently organized the International Justice Summit in Istanbul. We discussed our common responsibility with our colleagues from different countries for the provision of justice services promptly and fairly, with 'human dignity' at the center. We achieved extremely beneficial results. We held extensive consultations with esteemed ministers of justice, members of the judiciary and lawyers from thirty countries. Our bitterness was that the Palestinian Minister of Justice, Mr. Sharhabil El-Zaim, who was invited to our meeting but was not allowed to leave the country by the Israeli government, was not present with us. This situation once again declared the Israeli government's disrespect for the universal justice system. I would like to express once again that the people of Palestine and Gaza are perhaps the ones who need the goal of 'access to justice for all', which is one of the main topics of our meeting today. This need is separate from the understanding of peace and development that guided the establishment of the OECD. "It is unthinkable," he said.
'OECD IS AN IMPORTANT UNION'
Minister Gürlek said, "The basis of the process leading to the establishment of the OECD is the effort to eliminate the devastating effects of the Second World War, which was one of the biggest breaking points of global peace, through economic development. The international cooperation of the aid provided by the USA within the scope of the Marshall Plan, especially to Europe, which was heavily damaged by the war, constituted the beginning of this understanding. Over time, this cooperation has turned into a broader framework for the development of sustainable economic development models. OECD is an important association that makes serious efforts for the development of the world and the prosperity of societies. "The Republic of Türkiye has joined the OECD as a founding member and has sincerely supported and continues to support international peace in all areas, including economic and political areas."
'THERE IS A NEED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ITS PLACE AND TIMELY'
Akın Gürlek said, "In the globalizing world, countries need to establish stronger cooperation with each other in every field. Therefore, for global peace, there is a need for common development models, commercial relations, safe logistics routes, cultural sharing, equal distribution of natural riches, meeting of information and technology on a common ground, and most importantly, the appropriate and timely implementation of the 'Global Justice' system. When the justice system in the world has all the necessary infrastructure and the protection of rights is ensured with a universal understanding that knows no borders, it is the most important life that nourishes global peace." "It will be the vein," he said.
'WE WELCOME OVER 4 MILLION REFUGEES'
Minister Gürlek said, "In line with our 2025-2029 Judicial Reform Strategy, we implement our projects that facilitate access to justice and increase the guarantees of the right to trial within a reasonable time, by focusing on human dignity, and monitor the needs and results in practice. Our responsibility to protect human dignity also includes those who have to leave their homeland due to war and persecution. One of the most important issues faced by Turkey and European countries is that people who are deprived of justice and democratic guarantees and whose right to life are threatened become refugees and asylum seekers due to war, occupation and persecution." "Turkey has opened its doors wide, without discrimination among refugees, based on human dignity. While EU countries set refugee quotas, our country has welcomed more than 4 million refugees with its limited resources. This attitude is a concrete reflection of our country's understanding of global justice and awareness of responsibility," he said.
'WE NEED A SYSTEM THAT SAYS STOP TO VANDALITY'
