Anti-terror bill keeps some national emergency provisions for three more years

ANKARA

A new “anti-terror” bill will bolster the powers of Turkish authorities in detaining suspects and imposing public order even after the current two-year state of emergency ends.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) submitted an amendment to existing laws to parliament on July 16 to deal with the “fight against terror” after the state of emergency is lifted.

The draft legislation envisages to keep some measures under the state of emergency law up to three more years. The draft bill abolishes martial law in accordance with the new constitution.

A provisional article will be added to the anti-terror law. Detention times for offenses committed against state integrity, organized crime, and terrorist crimes will be implemented differently in the upcoming three years.

Under the proposed new legislation, a suspect can be held without charge for 48 hours or up to four days in the case of collective offenses. But this period could be extended twice maximum, or up to 12 days, if there is difficulty in collecting evidence or if the case is deemed to be particularly voluminous.

Governors will be able to prohibit individuals exiting and entering a defined area for 15 days on security grounds where the public order or safety has deteriorated or there are serious indications that will deteriorate in such a way that will stop or divert daily life. Governors will be able to prohibit carrying and transporting all kinds of weapons and ammunition, even if they are licensed.

For the period of three years, officials of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), police department, gendarmerie, public servant and workers who have been assessed as members of or linked to terrorist organizations, structures, or groups that the National Security Council has determined as carrying out actions against the national security of the state will be dismissed from their profession.

Those dismissed will not be employed again in the public service, or not be assigned directly or indirectly.

If the court rules for their return to duty, they will be collected in a “pool” and assigned to “research centers” under the Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry.

or three more years, the state will continue to appoint trustees for terrorism-related institutions and companies. Gun licenses and passports of those dismissed or suspended from duty will be canceled. The Interior Ministry will be able to cancel passports of their spouses as well.

The state of emergency, imposed in the wake of the July 2016 failed coup, widely believed to have been orchestrated by United States-based preacher Fethullah Gülen’s network, has been extended seven times and thousands have been arrested.

Turkish authorities have said no new extension will be sought for the state of emergency as it is due to end after midnight on July 18.