Main opposition CHP to hold ‘justice congress’ to discuss judicial shortcomings

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is set to hold a four-day “justice congress” in a bid to stress judicial deficiencies in Turkey. 

“In the congress, all segments of society in Turkey will discuss injustices, the current issues and seek solutions,” CHP deputy leader Bülent Tezcan announced at a press conference on July 31.

The congress comes after CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu conducted a “justice march” from Ankara to Istanbul to voice concerns over the record of justice in Turkey.

Kılıçdaroğlu embarked on a 25-day march from Ankara to Istanbul on June 15, voicing opposition to the post-July 15, 2016, coup attempt purges, which it accused the government of carrying them out in a politically biased manner.

Triggered by the imprisonment of CHP lawmaker Enis Berberoğlu, Kılıçdaroğlu’s march received support from many opposition segments, with thousands joining the trek.  

Announcing that the congress would be held from Aug. 26 to 30 in the western province of Çanakkale, Tezcan said Kılıçdaroğlu’s march had prompted “intraparty” discussions on justice issues in Turkey.

“The justice march was an intraparty march; we have seen great support. Now in this congress, there will not be any party emblem or logo,” he said, calling on “every segment of the society that has complaints regarding justice.”

“Everyone who has complaints to be filed within the justice case is invited to the congress,” he said.
 
“This congress is not a congress of a political party, it is a congress for those who want justice and lay claims to this case of justice,” he added.

Tezcan added that Çanakkale was chosen to be the place where the congress would be held as the city hosted a key battle in 1915, which is considered a marking point for the Independence War of the establishment of the Turkish Republic.

He said the battle was fought between Aug. 26 and 30 and resulted in a victory.

“Çanakkale is a place where this nation has fought for the first time against imperialist powers without any ethnic distinction was marked before the Independence War,” he said.