Turkish Red Crescent Law Proposal was accepted in the Parliament
Regulations within the scope of making Red Crescent activities more effective, personnel compensation in extraordinary periods and strategic procurement were approved.
Quick Look
- The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly accepted all articles of the Turkish Red Crescent Law proposal.
- With the proposal, the Red Crescent's activity purpose will be redefined, the use of names and flags will be restricted, personnel compensation will be paid in extraordinary periods, and strategic procurements in disaster/emergency situations will be procured directly from the Red Crescent without being subject to the Public Procurement Law.
- The meeting was closed to meet on Tuesday, November 17th.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly discussed the proposal of the Turkish Red Crescent Law, which includes the regulations regarding the Red Crescent, and accepted all its articles. The proposal was made after the speeches off the agenda, the 1-minute speech given to the MPs, the evaluations of the group deputy chairmen and the proposals of the political party groups were discussed.
The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly convened under the chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Yusuf Beyazıt, to discuss the 'Turkish Red Crescent Law' proposal, which includes the regulations regarding the Red Crescent. The proposal was made after the speeches outside the agenda, the 1-minute speech given to the MPs, the evaluations of the group deputy chairmen regarding the agenda and the proposals submitted by the political party groups to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. As a result of the discussions, all articles of the proposal were accepted.
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE MADE MORE EFFECTIVE
According to DHA's news, the activities of the association will be made more effective with the proposal. In this context, the activity purpose of the association is defined as 'relieving the deficiencies of those in need through the Turkish Red Crescent, without any discrimination within the framework of international law and the agreements to which Türkiye is a party, eliminating the negativities experienced by citizens in situations such as disasters, emergencies and war, preventing diseases and improving health conditions.' In addition, no other legal entity can be established with the rights and obligations granted to the association in line with international agreements. The Red Crescent will also be able to use the names 'Turkish Red Crescent', 'Turkish Red Crescent Association', 'Turkish Red Crescent Society' and 'Red Crescent'. The name, flag and emblem of the association will be deemed to be a sign of neutrality and protection, benefiting from all rights and immunities accepted by international agreements.
WILL ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY
The name, flag and emblem of the Turkish Red Crescent cannot be used by natural and legal persons, excluding organizations by the Turkish Red Crescent, for any purpose without permission. It will carry out the activities of visiting the places where prisoners of war and civilians are held, monitoring the conditions, ensuring family communication, investigating the missing and delivering humanitarian aid, and will serve as an intermediary in prisoner exchanges and family reunions, by consulting the Red Crescent and relevant public institutions and organizations. In order to fulfill this duty, the Turkish Red Crescent will be able to access the necessary data of real persons within the framework of the protocols it will make with the relevant public institutions and organizations. Data access within this scope will only be made by authorized persons to the extent required by the task.
COMPENSATION TO PERSONNEL DURING EXTRAORDINARY PERIODS
With the proposal, the principles, purpose of establishment, duties, organizational structure and similar regulations of the Red Crescent will be regulated by the Regulation. The statute will be approved by the President. On the other hand, compensation will be paid to Red Crescent personnel working in times of emergency, disaster, war and conflict. With the proposal, the 'Social Assistance and Solidarity Encouragement Law' is being amended. In this context, in the provinces where Red Crescent branches and representations are located, the Red Crescent provincial central branch president and district branch heads will also be members of the social assistance and solidarity foundation board of trustees. With the proposal, the rights and exemptions of the Red Crescent are also stipulated. Accordingly, in order to strengthen the national disaster management capacity, ensure supply security, accelerate response processes, eliminate needs and grievances, prevent diseases and improve health conditions in disasters and emergencies and disaster preparedness and extraordinary periods, first aid services, disaster logistics services and products and services for temporary shelter produced by the Turkish Red Crescent and its economic enterprises, participations or companies will be evaluated within the scope of strategic procurement. These purchases can be procured directly from the Turkish Red Crescent or from the Turkish Red Crescent's economic enterprises, participations or companies, without being subject to the 'Public Procurement Law'. These purchases will be made within the framework of coordination and protocols to be carried out between the relevant ministry and the Turkish Red Crescent, taking into account the scope, urgency and level of need of the disaster or emergency, within the framework of the principles of transparency, competition, equal treatment, public control, meeting the needs under appropriate conditions and on time, and efficient use of resources.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY CLOSED
After the articles of the proposal were accepted, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Beyazıt closed the assembly to meet on Tuesday, November 17.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The statute will be approved by the President and the principles, purpose of establishment, duties and organizational structure of the Turkish Red Crescent will be regulated.
Very likely · Within weeks
In the provinces where Red Crescent branches and representations are located, provincial and district branch heads will be members of the board of trustees of the social assistance and solidarity foundation.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- When will the statute be approved?
- Will the amount and scope of compensation for Red Crescent personnel be clarified?
- With which ministry will coordination be made for strategic procurements?
