Turkey’s CHP presents motion for parliament to research hate crimes

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) presented a motion for parliament to research the social causes of hate crimes on Nov. 11, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

The justification of the motion, made by CHP lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu and his co-party members, specifically referred to attacks targeting CHP deputy Eren Erdem and the Alevi Bektashi Federation head Baki Düzgün.

“Many people in Turkey are exposed to hate crimes that are rooted in discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, language, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and other reasons,” it said. 

“Starting parliamentary research is a requisite for developing methods to combat hate crimes, strengthen civil liberties, discuss the social reasons of hate crimes, and investigate the judicial punishment processes, by evaluating the hate crimes that have been carried out in our country,” the motion added.

It particularly referred to “impunity” in such cases as a result of the failure of the authorities to investigate hate crimes with the necessary seriousness. 

Removing impunity for hate crimes is important for the conscience of the public, and for citizens to feel secure, the motion stated, stressing the importance of effective investigations and punishments in combating such crimes.