10 February 2023
Barrier to Becoming a “Judge” and “Prosecutor” Lifted for People with Disabilities
By a motion tabled during the debates on the 5th Judicial Package, the wording in sub-paragraph (g) of the first paragraph of Article 8 of the Law on Judges and Prosecutors no. 2802 of 24/2/1983, referred to in Article 16 of the law — “not to have a disability such as difficulty in controlling one's speech and the movement of one's limbs in a manner unusual and disconcerting to those around” — was removed from the text of the law by the addition of a supplementary article. The motion was tabled and adopted with the agreement of the political parties. The amendment made no change whatsoever to the qualification criteria for becoming a judge or prosecutor. People with disabilities, like other candidates without disabilities, must pass the examinations. The amendment removed from the text of the law a provision that had led to discriminatory treatment of qualified people with disabilities who could become judges and prosecutors.
AK Party Istanbul MP Serkan Bayram, who worked to bring about this amendment, shared his delight at the change with his friends. He shared his expectations, saying: “God willing the way will be opened for ambassadorship and governorship as soon as possible.”
The President of Beyazay, Lokman Ayva, said: “Such discriminatory practices were quite unbecoming of a country that represents a civilisation placing the human being at its centre, and of our dear nation. We offer our gratitude to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye for making this change. Our MPs are genuinely representatives of the nation and represent us all. Because of this change they can leave it to their children and grandchildren as a service and an achievement in the name of humanity.
The amendment will come into force after the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and afterwards the attention of all people with disabilities will be on the first recruitment of judges and prosecutors.”