Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, attended the ‘Women Parliamentarians Forum’ within the scope of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (PAB), hosted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Female parliamentarians from many countries attended the forum. Speaking here, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Kurtulmuş said, “As Turkey, we accept the empowerment of women, protection of the family, strengthening of the social fabric, increasing production capacity and qualification of public life as strategic areas for our social welfare, and we consider the improvement in these areas as the most fundamental duty of our governments.” he said.

‘THIS IS THE CROSSROADS OF CIVILIZATIONS’

Making the opening speech of the forum, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş said, “This is the crossroads of civilizations. It is one of the rare cities, not only in history but also in the world today, where different ideas can come together and where different ideas can be discussed around the same table. I would like to clearly state that the Women Parliamentarians Forum is not an ordinary meeting format. This is a forum where the fundamental issues facing humanity are discussed in more depth, more sensitively and more comprehensively. This is a forum that broadens the horizons of political discussions.” “This meeting in Istanbul is very important in terms of discussing women’s place in decision-making processes, their contributions to the recovery of societies after conflict, and their ideas on establishing an international system based on justice.”

Kurtulmuş said, “Essentially, each of these headings points to areas of responsibility that cannot be postponed in today’s world. The situation we face today is not just a crisis or chaos, or an ordinary issue of tension in terms of the international system. The global problem we face today, which we all follow very closely and feel great concern about from time to time, points to a situation where the multilateral system has lost its effect, the law is applied as a selective law, the reputation of international institutions has begun to erode, and global decision-making processes have become devoid of a sense of justice.”

‘WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF GAZA ARE PAYING THE HEAVIEST BILLS’

Kurtulmuş said, “This picture has extremely shocking consequences, such as the narrowing of diplomatic channels and the severe pressure on human dignity. In the current environment, women and children undoubtedly pay the heaviest price. In almost every conflict zone in the world, in every tension zone and at the center of every conflict we experience internationally, there are the prices paid by women and the hardships women bear. Unfortunately, we bear the heaviest price for the crimes against humanity that have occurred in the ongoing conflicts in our region, especially in Gaza, which have now reached genocidal proportions.” “Women and children in Gaza are paying the price. Likewise, women are the ones who are paying the price for the great migrations, poverty and deprivation that have occurred in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, women are largely the ones who are left in poverty and unprotected situations. On the other hand, when we look at the democratic negotiation tables, it is clear that women are still not adequately represented. This deficiency does not only indicate a problem of representation; this deficiency means a structural gap that delays the socialization of peace and damages its permanence.”

‘THE REAL NEED IS FOR GIRLS TO BENEFIT ENOUGH FROM EDUCATION’

Kurtulmuş said, “The issue of women’s empowerment cannot be considered as a discussion of equality in the narrow sense. This issue is undoubtedly directly related to the quality of democracy, the inclusiveness of the administration, the continuity of development and the healthy preservation of social balance. For this reason, it would be appropriate to consider the negotiations carried out here not as a secondary agenda, but as the main discussion topics of our age. The ideas you put forward are far beyond being a declaration of good will; they affect legislative processes, shape politics and find concrete responses in areas that shape the future of societies. We now clearly know that women are in decision-making power.” Neither justice can be fully established nor a long-lasting climate of peace can be created. At this point, parliaments have a special duty; the strong participation of women in the fields of legislation, control, budget and representation is a fundamental necessity for the construction of more inclusive, resilient and balanced societies. It further deepens women’s lives: Developments that directly affect women’s lives, such as economic contraction, displacement, increased income inequality, social insecurity and deterioration in access to educational opportunities, are of great concern to almost all countries globally. Violence against women cannot be separated from the strengthening of economic justice, increasing the resilience of societies, and the attitude to be developed against violence carries legal, humanitarian, moral and political responsibilities. The determination shown in this field is undoubtedly one of the most important indicators of the level of civilization of societies. As Turkey, we consider the empowerment of women, the protection of the family, the strengthening of the social fabric, and the improvement of public life as strategic areas for our social welfare, and we consider the improvement in these areas as the most fundamental duty of our governments. With this understanding, we are taking multifaceted steps in a wide range from education to employment, from social support mechanisms to decision-making processes. I would like to express that the issue should not only be seen as offering opportunities. The real need is to establish a fair environment in which women’s knowledge, experience, intuition and political knowledge can be fully reflected in public life. The most important thing is that girls benefit from education adequately, families can live in dignity and human dignity is protected under all circumstances. In this respect, I wholeheartedly believe that the views and proposals that will emerge within the scope of the forum will make strong contributions to the work of the 152nd General Assembly. used.

Minister Gürlek answered the questions of the press members before the AK Party Group Meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. On the question about the Gülistan Doku investigation, Gürlek said, “It was an incident that was committed in 2020 and did not satisfy the conscience, the perpetrator was taken unsolved. Our prosecutor came to me and said that he had collected the evidence. We do not have the right to discretion. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is conducting the investigation. There are intense suspicions here. Our Chief Prosecutor studied the file very carefully. He also told us and the necessary actions were taken. This murder was an act that injured the public conscience. This investigation must be continued to the end. We cannot give instructions to the Chief Prosecutor, we have such authority.” “No,” he said.

“AS THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, I DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INTERFERE IN THE INVESTIGATION”
Underlining that there were detentions in the Gülistan Doku investigation, Gürlek said, “Evidence is in the process of being collected. As the Minister of Justice, I do not have the authority to intervene in the investigation. The son of the then governor is also in custody. We do not have a message regarding that investigation. I also served as the chief prosecutor. Individuals are not important here. The investigation must go to the end. The prosecutor does not care about the profession of individuals.”
Evaluating the investigation permission given against Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Gürlek said, “Our Ministry of Internal Affairs gave the investigation permission to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. There is currently an ongoing investigation. A new investigation has started in Şanlıurfa. This investigation continues.”

“OUR WORK ON THE 12TH JUDICIAL PACKAGE CONTINUES”
On the question about Terror-Free Turkey and the 12th Judicial Package, Gürlek said, “In the Terror-Free Turkey process, the Commission submitted its report to the Parliament. It is currently at the discretion and authority of the Parliament. We, as the Ministry of Justice, said that we can provide technical support. This is entirely within the will of the Parliament. The Parliament will determine its scope and framework. Our work on the 12th Judicial Package continues. We are working on every detail. We realized that there are steps that need to be taken, especially to speed up the judicial processes.”

“Since I took office, I have emphasized my determination in the fight against street gangs, drugs and virtual gambling.”
Regarding the steps taken in the fight against illegal betting and drugs, Minister Gürlek said, “Since I took office, I have emphasized my determination in the fight against street gangs, drugs and virtual gambling. I sent a circular to our 81 provincial chief prosecutor’s offices. I want it to be carried out to the end. Investigations regarding drugs, virtual gambling and corruption are being carried out. These investigations are being carried out under the coordination of our chief prosecutors.”

The world continues to be dragged into disaster due to Israel’s Zionist ambitions. The Strait of Hormuz is under a “double blockade” due to the war against Iran that Israel, backed by the United States, started on February 28. While Iran is blocking the passage of ships supporting the USA, Washington has been blockading ships leaving Iran for two days. Due to this blockade and the uncertainty of the war, a food crisis has been going on with great energy for weeks.
International institutions and experts also point out that the disaster will increase even if the ceasefire is maintained.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned that a long-term crisis in the Strait of Hormuz would disrupt fertilizer and energy exports, raise food prices and reduce crop yields, leading to a global agricultural and food disaster.

The International Energy Agency (IAA) warned of an unprecedented energy shock in March, when global oil production fell by more than 10 million barrels per day.

According to IEA’s latest monthly report, the world is struggling with the largest oil supply disruption in history.
The sharpest decline in global oil supply since Covid-19 may occur in the second quarter.

“Neither a temporary ceasefire nor the end of the US and Israel’s war with Iran will allow us to return to the pre-war era of cheap oil and natural gas,” an analysis-news article on BBC said.
“The process of getting out of the crisis will be long and expensive for many reasons.” Here are other findings:

1- The oil shortage is just beginning. It takes one to one and a half months for a tanker carrying oil from the Persian Gulf to reach buyers. The war started exactly one and a half months ago. Since the Strait of Hormuz remains virtually closed during this period, the world will begin to face a new shortage of oil supply.
2- The natural gas crisis may become worse than the oil crisis.
3- It will take time to repair the destruction in the energy facilities in the Gulf. More than 40 oil and gas facilities in Middle Eastern countries were damaged in the war.
4- Energy prices increased with the pandemic and the Ukraine war, but this time the purchasing power of the countries also weakened.
5- Reserve oil is not infinite, it will need to be renewed.
6- The future of the war remains uncertain and the risk of spread is still very high.

In the incident that took place in Izmir on April 1, 38-year-old Sabri Kılınç, a Çiğli Municipality staff member, lost his life when the truck he was driving while dumping waste into the Çiğli Waste Water Treatment Plant, operated by İZSU General Directorate, rolled into a mud pit. When the family noticed the situation, the crane was called to the area and the lifeless body of Sabri Kılınç was reached.

‘WE PAID THE CRANE MONEY’
Claiming that the accident occurred due to negligence, the family accused İZSU of not taking the necessary precautions. Grieving wife Ulkiye Kılınç said, “As a family, we rented a crane for 40 thousand TL to remove the truck and my wife’s lifeless body from the mud-filled pit.” Grieving father Bekir Kılınç said, “If I cannot find money, I will sell my house, but I will not give up on this. They cannot take that invoice from me, I will submit it to the prosecutor’s office.”

TUGAY DENIES THE FAMILY
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, on the other hand, denied the statements of the grieving family and claimed, “The crane was called by İZSU officials, accompanied by his father. The crane, which was closer, was called for immediate intervention. The family did not pay for that crane. They were not the ones who called.” However, it turned out that the family paid the bill for the crane.

‘RESIGN IMMEDIATELY’
AK Party İzmir Deputy Ceyda Bölünmez Çankırı stated that Tugay lied by sharing the invoice and payment receipt issued by the crane company. Inviting Tugay to resign, Çankırı said, “We have a bill like a door. Cemil Tugay is lying. That grieving family found the crane themselves, instead of waiting for the municipality’s help that did not come. The family paid the price of that crane from their own pocket, not İZBB. Do not pollute that seat any more and resign immediately.” In the İZBB Assembly, the AK Party Group submitted a parliamentary question regarding the death of Sabri Kılınç and asked for the allegations of negligence to be investigated.

AK Party General Secretary and Izmir MP Eyyüp Kadir İnan criticized the local government in Izmir with harsh words. In his written statement about Izmir, İnan criticized the local government approach in the city with a manifesto. İnan stated that Izmir has been faced with “lack of service and poor management” for years. Stating that the people of Izmir will no longer remain silent, İnan used the following expressions in his statement: “Today is no longer the time to remain silent; it is time to speak the truth openly against those who sacrificed the fate of our city to their own love of power and shallow calculations! These words of ours are the rightful rebellion of the people of Izmir rising from the streets against that obsolete CHP mentality that has taken refuge behind Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for years and condemned this beautiful city to servicelessness and darkness.”

UNemployable, unqualified
İnan, “Incompetent, incompetent CHP management; know well that the people of Izmir no longer have faith in you!” he said. Criticizing Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, İnan said, “We will show your empty lies in front of the nation every day. I say it clearly from here: Cemil Tugay, the lies you tell are now beyond both you and me! The whole of Turkey saw what kind of a service wreck you turned the whole city of Izmir into, and your incompetence in the local government. We used to feel sorry for you in this situation, but now all the people of Izmir have lost their patience. Keep this in mind: With this structure of yours that is devouring Ataturk’s legacy, this period we are experiencing now will be the last CHP period that Izmir will endure!” he said.

Answering the questions of journalists after the group meeting, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli closed the door on the calls for by-elections and said, “The CHP should not try to tarnish Türkiye by causing chaos in its structure. There are no by-elections, it is during the election time. The will of the Turkish nation, that will should be respected from now on.” he said. Bahçeli said:

THE BASIS FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION IS WEAK: The fact that the war seems to have ended in a 2-week ceasefire does not mean that the crisis is over. Rather than a comprehensive agreement, this ceasefire is a temporary pause that allows the parties to review their positions at a point where they cannot achieve their strategic and fundamental goals. Ending the war and establishing peace is far from being an attainable goal.

There is no end to the crisis, only a transformed arm wrestle. The immediate implementation of the ‘World Peace Council’ mechanism, under the leadership of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with the participation of the USA, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, Turkey and the European Union, is a historical obligation on behalf of humanity.

ISRAEL IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR: The screams in Gaza echo in Lebanon today. Israel’s attacks that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be stopped immediately. Israel is the real and only responsible for this war. The main problem of the international system is that the pressure mechanism cannot be operated on Israel. The regulation adopted by the Israeli Parliament, which paved the way for the death penalty for Palestinian political prisoners, reveals the lawless and immoral aspect of Zionism.