Parliament Passes TAK Budget for BRTK
The Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK) has had its 2025 budget approved by the Assembly of the Republic with a majority vote. The budget of 163 million 705 thousand TL was approved after discussions during the assembly.
One of the main points of discussion during the approval of the TAK budget was the absence of the Military Crimes and Penalty Law Proposal, which was urgently approved in October 2023. CTP Deputy Sami Özuslu raised concerns about the delayed passing of this law and emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of the press and thought.
Özuslu called on the government to prioritize the protection of freedom of thought and expression and criticized the lack of discussion on the proposed legislative amendment for over a year. He highlighted the ongoing Ali Kişmir case and urged the Speaker of the Parliament to bring the bill proposal to the General Assembly for discussion.
Despite these concerns, the TAK Budget Bill was ultimately accepted with 26 votes in favor and 9 votes against. The approval of the TAK budget was followed by discussions on the Ministry of Labor and Social Security budget.
In conclusion, the approval of the TAK budget signals a significant step forward for the agency, but concerns remain about the protection of freedom of the press and thought in the country. It is clear that there is still work to be done to ensure the rights and freedoms of all individuals are upheld.
