AYDIN, Feb 17 (A.A) - Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Sunday that the new Civil Code was adopted as the symbol of a judicial reform.
Speaking at a seminar organized jointly by Turkish Bars' Association and Aydin Bar to introduce the new Civil Code, Turk stressed that the most important characteristics of the Civil Code was its adoption in cooperation among all political parties at the parliament.
Turk said that enactment of the Civil Code was a sign of compromise at the parliament.
''Now, our duty is to fully implement the Civil Code. The 21st century is a century in which great importance is attributed to the human rights. Former Civil Code which had been adopted in 1926, could not meet requirements of the 21st century and conditions of the changing world any longer. The new Civil Code was prapered in accordance with the Convention of Human Rights, Convention of Women and Children Rights. Briefly, the new Civil Code was adopted as the symbol of a judicial reform,'' he said.
Turk noted, ''the new Civil Code is based on respect for human rights and on gender equality. Basic Civil Court and Civil Court of Peace judges will undertake the most important duty in implementation of the Civil Code. Gender equality will be fully put into practice in Turkey as a result of the Civil Code. The Justice Ministry has also prepared the Family Court Draft Law. Family judges will fulfil their duties with the help of psychologists, sociologists and pedagogists.''
TURK SAYS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY ABOLISHED ONE DAY
Turk visited Emir Durmaz, the governor of western province of Aydin.
Responding reporters' questions after the meeting, Turk recalled that under amendments to the Constitution, the capital punishment had been annulled except for three situations which were ''warfare'', ''close war threat'' and ''terrorist crimes''.
''Except these three situations, the offenses for which capital punishment had been foreseen earlier are now punished with life in prison. Our political parties have different approaches. Any capital punishment has not been carried out in Turkey in last seventeen years. However, death sentence in Turkey will be absolutely be annulled one day,'' he said.
Responding a question about lifting of political immunity of members of parliament, Turk said that also some public officials and judges in Turkey had political immunity.
''Immunities can be lifted. This has always been a matter of discussion. It is very wrong to give an impression as if the problem stems only from parliamentarians' immunity and all corruptions are caused due to this,'' Turk said.