ANKARA - The government has prepared a draft making changes in a number of laws within framework of adjustment with Copenhagen political criteria.
In the package, re-trial process will be allowed under the light of decisions taken by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
With the change to be made in the the Code of Civil Procedure, a request can be made to the Supreme Court of Appeals First Chief Judge's Office for re-trial process, if the ECHR determined that the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms or additional protocols are violated in a verdict.
This arrangement will be implemented to the decisions about applications to the ECHR after the arrangement comes into force.
With the change, nearly 300 decisions against Turkey can be included in the scope of the re-trial process.
Another change to be made in Article 316 of the Code of Civil Procedure, envisages notification of written notice of the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor to the sides with the aim of strengthening the defense.
Compensations and friendly settlement fines that should be paid in accordance with decisions taken by the ECHR, will be exempt from stamp duty.
When the ECHR takes a decision about a violation, information about this crime will be removed from the records. This information will not be kept in the archives.
Another change to be made in the State Security Courts (DGMs) Law allows detainees to meet with their lawyers immediately and at any time, and to inform their relatives on their arrest.
The same rule will be valid for detainees after the presecutor gives a written order about extension of detention period.
Detainees will have the right to object to their capture or arrest, and to request their release.
Suspects will be able to request the court to invite those who testified against them, and to ask questions to these people.
The government plans to make an amendment to the Law about Trial of Civil Servants and Other Public Officials. Under the amendment, public officials who are accused of torture and maltreatment, can be tried.
Detention period will be decreased from 10 days to 7 days in the Emergency Rule Region.
Judges will listen to the convicts and detainees in each occasion before taking a decision. Also, health situation of convicts and detainees will be determined with reports during their departure from and arrival in prisons.
Another change to be made in the Turkish Criminal Code, lapse of time will be removed in crimes of torture.
Within the framework of the package, Article 11 of the Political Parties Law will be re-arranged in line with the amendment to Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Those who are convicted of inciting people to hatred and enmity by discriminating people because of their social status, race, religion or regional differences cannot become members of political parties.
In accordance with another change to be made in the Political Parties Law, three fifths majority will be sought to ban a political party in closure cases at the Constitutional Court.
Under the change, relevant political party will have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court in order to object the request of the prosecutor to ban the political party. The change aims at granting political parties the rihgt to make legal application against request of the prosecutor.
The package plans to annul the arrangement in Article 104 of the Political Parties Law enabling the prosecutor to file a lawsuit for closure of a political party which does not abide by warning of the Constitutional Court.
With another change to be made in Article 15 of the Press Law, owners of press organs cannot force their sources to make statements.
The draft includes an arrargement enabling foreigners to submit their petitions to the parliament.
Foreigners residing in Turkey will benefit from this right with the condition of writing their petition in Turkish.
An amendment was made in the Constitution to this end on October 3, 2001.