Yapıcıoğlu's remarks came during a meeting with the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, reflecting the growing demand for accountability amidst ongoing conflicts.
The meeting, held in the Commission Meeting Room of the Public Relations Building, was attended by NGO representatives from the platform. Aziz Oğuzhan Karaman, speaking on behalf of the delegation, provided insights into the platform’s activities and their long-standing advocacy for the proposed legislation.
“We have been advocating for the prosecution and deprivation of citizenship of dual citizens who have committed crimes against humanity and participated in genocide,” Karaman stated. He expressed satisfaction that HÜDA PAR's proposal has advanced to the legislative stage and urged other parties in Parliament to support it. “There is a strong expectation in society for this law. We hope those involved in the genocide in Gaza will be identified, tried, stripped of citizenship, and their assets confiscated.”
Yapıcıoğlu emphasized that supporting Palestine transcends religious and ethnic boundaries. “Everyone who is human should object to the oppression in Palestine,” he declared. Yapıcıoğlu condemned the ongoing silence of Islamic leaders and criticized the use of prohibited weapons by Israeli forces, which have targeted United Nations buildings and children’s hospitals. “Humanity is being trampled,” he said, highlighting the need for global moral and legal accountability.
Yapıcıoğlu noted ongoing judicial processes at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, expressing hope that Israeli leaders responsible for war crimes will eventually be held accountable. He urged the Jewish community in Turkey to distance themselves from Zionist actions, recalling historical instances where the Ottoman Empire provided refuge to Jews.
The proposed law includes several key measures:
- Prosecution and deprivation of citizenship for dual citizens who commit genocide or crimes against humanity.
- Mandatory confiscation of assets for those stripped of their citizenship.
- Empowering Turkish courts to try crimes against humanity based on the principle of universality, which allows for jurisdiction regardless of where the crimes were committed.
Yapıcıoğlu stressed that the proposal, submitted on December 29, 2023, should allow Parliament to initiate investigations without requiring a request from the Ministry of Justice. He called for bipartisan support, hoping the proposal would soon be on the General Assembly’s agenda. “Parliament has the authority to approve or disapprove international agreements and even declare war. It should also have the authority to address crimes against humanity decisively,” he argued.
“We want those who committed the crime of genocide to be tried here,” Yapıcıoğlu stated, advocating for the stripping of citizenship and confiscation of assets for dual citizens involved in such crimes. He emphasized the principle of universality in international law, which empowers Turkish courts to try these crimes. “If identified, they should receive the harshest punishment,” he asserted.
Yapıcıoğlu also called for preventive measures, including the closure of military bases in Türkiye that might be complicit in these crimes. He underscored the role of civil society in raising awareness and supporting legislative efforts. “Civil society has a serious burden and an important duty in this regard,” he said, urging public opinion to be more sensitive to the issue.
Despite ongoing efforts, Yapıcıoğlu acknowledged that persecution in Gaza continues. He stressed the importance of legislative action to support international judicial processes. “If we can pass such a law in Parliament, it will show that those who commit crimes against humanity will be held accountable,” he stated. He expressed hope for eventual justice and accountability for those responsible for genocide, both through Turkish and international legal mechanisms.
Yapıcıoğlu concluded by reaffirming HÜDA PAR's commitment to advocating for justice and supporting the Palestinian cause. “One day, God willing, we will see the results of these efforts,” he said, emphasizing the importance of continuous advocacy and legislative action in the fight against impunity for crimes against humanity. (ILKHA)
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