A brawl broke out among Turkish lawmakers Friday during a heated debate over an opposition delegate currently imprisoned on what are widely considered to be politically motivated charges.
More context: Under Turkish law, any elected lawmaker are granted immunity no matter any previous punishment. Can Atalay was elected as a lawmaker from Turkish Workers Party while he was in jail; but he was refused to let go out of the jail.
The debate about him went all the way to the head law court (AYM); and they essentially said “people elected him, he should be let go, keeping him in jail is not legal”.
On this parliament debate this was meant to be discussed; however members of the governing party first started provoking other parties; then they initiated a fist fight.
Well, immunity applies to all elected lawmakers. If you’ve been punched by a lawmaker, you have no grounds to sue it.
any elected lawmaker are granted immunity no matter any previous punishment
What? I understand it could be useful to counter politicians having their opposition attested etc, but it sounds like it could be a way for very problematic people to get into positions of power.
More context: Under Turkish law, any elected lawmaker are granted immunity no matter any previous punishment. Can Atalay was elected as a lawmaker from Turkish Workers Party while he was in jail; but he was refused to let go out of the jail.
The debate about him went all the way to the head law court (AYM); and they essentially said “people elected him, he should be let go, keeping him in jail is not legal”.
On this parliament debate this was meant to be discussed; however members of the governing party first started provoking other parties; then they initiated a fist fight.
Well, immunity applies to all elected lawmakers. If you’ve been punched by a lawmaker, you have no grounds to sue it.
What? I understand it could be useful to counter politicians having their opposition attested etc, but it sounds like it could be a way for very problematic people to get into positions of power.
Considering the current government, indeed it is.