ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The release of four former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies, namely Leyla Zana, Orhan Dogan, Hatip Dicle and Selim Sadak produced significant relief and praise in Turkey.
"Turkey's 80-year ban on the Kurds is over today," Sirri Sakik, another Kurdish former lawmaker, told journalists outside Ankara's Ulucanlar prison prior to their release.
"Their verdict has not been overturned, but taking into account their long imprisonment, a decision was made for their release pending the end of the investigation," a court official said, adding that the re-trial would open on July 8.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said the reform drive had laid the foundations of a sound legal system, opening the way for further releases and capping the drive to fulfill European Union political criteria. "Honestly, I can tell you that with these changes we really achieved a critical mass," he said in an interview.
Gul said that even if the four former deputies were found guilty in their second re-trial, there was no way that they would be returned to prison.
Deputy-Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said the release of the former DEP deputies was a decision taken by an independent judiciary, adding that he did not feel further interpretation was necessary.
On Wednesday, Turkey aired its first ever Kurdish language broadcasts, transmitting short programs in the once-outlawed language under reforms passed as part of the country's push to join the EU.
"This was the last bargaining chip in the hands of those who were seeking excuses in damaging Turkey's EU bid," said Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, before adding, "The Turkish legal system has done its part, now it's the others' turn."
Cicek said Turkey had a functioning state, judiciary and democracy and called on all to trust the courts. He admitted the court's decision had relieved Turkey, both domestically and internationally, adding that Turkey was on the right track and no one needed to fear future developments.
Eren Keskin, deputy head of Turkey's Human Rights Association, hailed the decision but said, "it was given because the EU wanted it."
"It's a positive step, a reason to rejoice while at the same time it's an acceptance by the Turkish legal system of its own injustice," Keskin added.
The former Democracy Party (DEP) lawmakers served 10 years of their 15-year sentence.
Court of Appeals Chief Judge Erarslan Ozkaya said on Thursday that the court's decision was based solely on legal reasons and that the Turkish judiciary had, and never would, serve political objectives. He said that the judicial procedure was still continuing and it was wrong to comment or make recommendations about the judiciary.
The court order and the Kurdish radio broadcasts were no small steps for Turkey, which fought a 15-year war with separatist Kurdish guerillas that killed 37,000 people.
Earlier this year Turkey decided to abolish its State Security Court (DGM), which handled terrorism cases, as part of the reforms to qualify for EU membership. The government submitted to Parliament a proposal to create new courts.
Parliament speaker Bulent Arinc described the court's decision to release the former deputies as the legally correct decision. He said it was a legal, not a political, decision and noted that in democratic countries neither the legislative or the executive had the power to pressure the judiciary.
Most of the opposition parties were also united in their praise of the release of Zana and her friends.
Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) leader Hayri Kozanoglu said this was a positive step in realizing peace in the country and called for more effort to be initiated in ensuring the permanence of this new stability.
Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin, speaking during his visit to pro-Kurdish Democratic Nation Party (DEHAP) leader Tuncer Bakirhan, said he was very happy about the court's decision, noting the start of Kurdish broadcasts were also a significant step in the modernization of the country.
Chief opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baysal said he hoped this decision would contribute to the establishment of social peace, adding that tying this decision to Turkey's efforts to become an EU member was both wrong and inappropriate.
He stressed the fact that the matter was resolved by the judiciary and that only legal considerations were involved in the release.
Diyarbakir Greater Municipality Mayor Osman Baydemir said the court's decision to release the former DEP deputies had corrected an injustice but more steps were needed to ensure democratization.
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Nesrin Nas said the release of the former deputies was the correct, but belated, decision and called on the government to eliminate the rumors about the decision relating to Turkey's desire to become an EU member.
While there was significant support in Turkey for the court's decision, some opposition parties criticized the EU's influence over the matter.
Great Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu said the release showed that the Turkish judiciary was not independent, and called for the court's and the interior minister's resignation. He claimed there was serious interference in judicial and parliamentary decisions, adding that the only thing that influenced the decision was what the EU wanted.

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