Investigation of Judge’s Recusal Request over Headscarf
A Lawyer Requests Recusal Judge Because of Judges Wearing Headscarves
In a recent case heard at the Ankara 1st High Criminal Court, a defendant’s lawyer made a controversial request for a “rejection judge” based on the fact that the president of the court and the member judge were wearing headscarves. This request caused a stir and led to the court committee reporting the lawyer to the bar association.
Reacting to the incident, Minister of Justice, Tunç, took to social media to express his dismay and announced that an investigation had been initiated. He condemned the act as being rooted in old Turkish thinking and reminiscent of the oppressive mentality during the February 28 period that restricted women’s freedom of belief, education, and work.
The Minister emphasized that everyone in Turkey has the right to freedom of conscience, religious belief, and opinion as guaranteed by the Constitution. He highlighted the strides made in the country over the past 22 years to eliminate discriminatory practices and promote equal rights and freedoms for all, including the principle of ‘positive discrimination’ for women.
Despite some opposition, the advancement of women in various fields, including the judiciary, has been a notable achievement. With over 8,000 female judges and prosecutors diligently serving throughout the country, Turkish women have made significant contributions to the pursuit of justice.
The disrespectful behavior exhibited by the lawyer not only offended the judges involved but also sparked outrage among female judges and prosecutors across the nation, regardless of their religious beliefs or attire.
Minister Tunç made it clear that such discriminatory and dismissive attitudes towards women have no place in modern-day Turkey, where efforts have been made to establish and uphold fundamental rights and freedoms. He assured that an investigation into the matter has been launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to address the troubling incident.
