The 217th Executive Council Meeting within the scope of the 152nd General Assembly of the IPU, hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, was held under the chairmanship of IPU President Tulia Ackson. Speaking at the ceremony, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, said, “I think this meeting is a meeting with the highest participation in the recent history of the IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). Nearly 155 countries are represented here. We are hosting an extremely important, large international meeting with 80 Parliament Speakers, nearly 800 deputies and 2420 registrations.” Kurtulmuş said, “The old era is behind us. We see that a new era is opening in front of us. We will decide together as humanity how the new era will be. Unfortunately, the United Nations has become an international institution that is governed and directed by those in power as they wish. And unfortunately, these double standards in the world continue to be exposed to all of us through the human tragedies we all witness. More than 75 thousand people were killed in 3 years, and 70 percent of them were women and children. I wonder who used which institution. “Will Israel be able to put a stop to these apartheid practices? Especially the rules that we would all sign under today. However, with the collapse of the institutions, the rules have also collapsed. In short, the global system is in a state of complete decay. It is obvious that we need extraordinary efforts to get rid of this decay.” “It is our duty to put forward a new, fair global political architecture and a fair economic architecture that will ensure economic justice in the world,” he said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the dinner held in honor of the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly at Dolmabahçe Palace. Erdoğan briefly said the following in his speech here:

It is my great pleasure to host you in Türkiye on the occasion of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. I hope that the General Assembly, convened with the theme of “Growing hope for future generations, ensuring peace and ensuring justice”, will be beneficial for all humanity.

The international system established by the victors 80 years ago today faces a major crisis of legitimacy. Common sense is suspended, dialogue is disabled; In such an environment where diplomacy and negotiation are replaced by weapons, missiles and bombs, no one is safe. It is clear that no equation in which the regional countries are not the main actors can respond to the search for peace and security. The essence of the peace initiatives we have undertaken in Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, Africa and many other regions; It is a principled and realistic approach.

AID TO GAZA IS BEING BLOCKED

Although the international public opinion shows the will to stop the tragedies in the Middle East, we witness that governments are far behind at this point. While the world’s focus shifted to the war in Iran, thousands of people lost their lives in the attacks of the Israeli government in Palestine and Lebanon. The Israeli government, which is the biggest obstacle to peace and tranquility for its own people, Palestine and our region, does not stop and cannot be stopped despite all the efforts of the international community. The same violation of law and rule continues in Palestine. The Israeli administration, which does not comply with its commitments within the framework of the ceasefire, also prevents humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. Israel, which has openly voiced its plan to turn the West Bank into the new Gaza, is seeking to revive the shame of apartheid in South Africa, 32 years after its collapse, by imposing the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners. I invite all parliamentarians to join forces and raise the voice of peace in order to implement the two-state solution, which is the only formula for a just and lasting peace in Palestine, as soon as possible.

The conflict environment in our region is the biggest obstacle to the peace and stability that the Syrian people, who have been liberated after 13.5 years of oppression, deserve. Constructive and continuous support from international actors is needed in the recovery of Syria. We have, and will continue to provide, all the support we can to our Syrian brothers on the basis of national unity and territorial integrity.

A FAIR AND PERMANENT SOLUTION IS REQUIRED IN CYPRUS
It is high time to reach a fair, permanent and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue, which has been on our agenda since 1963. From here, I once again call for an end to the unlawful isolation to which the Turkish Cypriots are subjected, and I would like to express that we expect your support in this regard. Dear guests, our Africa policy is shaped by the understanding of equal partnership; It is getting stronger day by day with the support of friendly and brotherly African countries. We support all diplomatic efforts to end instability in Sudan. In cooperation with our African friends, we will continue to provide all the support needed to help the continent achieve a brighter future.

At the online meeting held with the participation of Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, the measures to be taken in schools and their surroundings were evaluated. Governors, provincial police chiefs, provincial gendarmerie commanders and provincial national education directors also attended the meeting. In the statement made after the meeting, it was stated that “The internal and external security of our schools has been reviewed in terms of entrance and exit arrangements, environmental inspections, camera systems, visitor applications, service routes and areas where our students are concentrated. In addition to increasing physical security measures, a common assessment has been made that any area that drags our children and young people to violence or encourages violence should be carefully addressed.” At the meeting with wide participation from governors to police and gendarmerie officials, current risks were evaluated and new measures were decided. While an agreement has been reached on a multi-layered action plan, the aim is to quickly implement short, medium and long-term steps.

VIOLENCE IN 81 PROVINCES

Comprehensive inspections were initiated in all educational institutions in 81 provinces upon the instructions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The school surroundings were closely monitored by police and gendarmerie teams. Patrols around the school have been increased. Security measures have been noticeably increased in Erzincan, Gaziantep, Iğdır, Siirt, İslahiye, Kars and Karabük. Bülent MAVZER / Volkan KARABAĞ / SABAH

HE WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE IN THE ASSEMBLY

The connection between the Telegram group C31K, which came to the fore with the attack in Kahramanmaraş, and the events will be examined. Stating that they will contact Telegram, which does not have a representative in Türkiye, and that the commission will hold a meeting next week for this purpose, Nazım Elmas, Chairman of the Digital Media Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, said, “We will ask those messages that everyone is talking about on the platform, one by one. What are their control systems, what precautions are they taking, we will ask for answers.” ANKARA

SCHOOL ENTRANCES WILL BE REGULATED

School entrance systems will be rearranged. Police and gendarmerie inspections will be intensified around schools. Monitoring capacity in and around schools will be expanded. Service routes will be checked. Access to unlicensed weapons will be prevented. Risk behaviors in students will be detected earlier. Parents, teachers and guidance services will take a more active role. Psychosocial support will be expanded. Support will be provided to students and teachers affected by the events. Crisis intervention capacity will be increased. A faster and more coordinated response to possible incidents will be provided.

WE WILL MAKE LEGAL REGULATIONS

According to the minutes of the meeting held by the Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek with the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Investigation Commission on Children Driven to Crime, the ministry is preparing for the legal regulation. Accordingly, Gürlek said, “Unfortunately, the perception of impunity disturbs the society. Of course, we will make legal regulations on this issue. Preventive mechanisms should come into play. We are working together with the ministries of Family and National Education.” Önder YILMAZ / ANKARA

DIGITAL MEDIUMS LEAD TO VIOLENCE

Necmettin Erbakan University Radio, Television and Cinema Department Head Assoc. Dr. Salih Gürbüz: The underlying thing is the language of hate and the aesthetics of violence pumped by the media. Highlighting this language in TV series and programs and offering young people a false sense of belonging on the internet and digital networks can turn them into suicide bombers. Rana BÜYÜKTAŞ / ANKARA

PLATFORMS TRIGGER CHILDREN

Kastamonu University Artificial Intelligence Studies Coordinator Prof. Dr. Tunay Kamer: Closed communities established on platforms such as Discord, Telegram and Reddit produce uncontrolled structures. Users who watch violent content on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are constantly exposed to similar content through the algorithm. The digital world can turn into a “zone of radicalization” for these children. Ceyda KARAASLAN

According to the appointments, Yasin Akar, General Director of Disabled and Elderly Services of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, was dismissed and Taha Kürsad Sezen was appointed in his place. In addition, Ertan Yalçın, who continues to serve as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Multinational State of Bolivia, and Makbule Başak Yalçın, who continues to serve as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Ecuador, were taken to the center.

Mehmet Cem Kahyaoğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau,

Gülsun Erkul, General Manager of Consular Services and Citizens Living Abroad at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Hungary,

Özgür Arslan, Deputy Director General of OIC and Muslim Minorities, to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in the Republic of Niger,

Nevzat Uyanık, General Manager of Public Diplomacy Strategic Communications, to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Malaysia,

Korhan Karakoç, General Manager of Humanitarian and Technical Assistance to the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to the Kingdom of Sweden,

Halime Ebru Demircan, Deputy Director General of the Council of Europe and Human Rights, was appointed as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Madagascar.

In addition, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Angola, Muhammet Mustafa Çelik, was taken to the center and Özgür Uludüz was appointed in his place.

Rıfkı Olgun Yücekök, Deputy Director General of Migration Policies, was appointed to the vacant Deputy Director General of Personnel position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mert Doğan was appointed as Deputy General Director of Immigration Policies.

In addition, there are vacancies in the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency; Cengiz Gevrek, General Manager of Management Services, was appointed as Vice President, Mehmet Ali Öncü was appointed as General Manager of Management Services, and Bayram İzzet Taşçı was appointed as Head of Guidance and Supervision.

Mahmut Çolak was appointed as Deputy General of Innovation and Educational Technologies, which was vacant in the Ministry of National Education.

In the circular signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it was stated that the OIC Arbitration Center was established in Istanbul with the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture on the Establishment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Center in Türkiye”, approved by the Presidential Decree No. 2064 dated January 24, 2020.

The circular reminded that the OIC Arbitration Center, which is the first arbitration center established in Türkiye through an international agreement, serves to resolve trade and investment disputes submitted to it by natural or legal persons from all states, whether members of the OIC or not, through arbitration or alternative dispute resolution methods, and emphasized that the center carries out its services within the framework of confidentiality principles by independent, impartial and expert persons in the field.

In the circular, it was stated that the OIC Arbitration Center, which was established by taking into account modern arbitration and mediation norms, offers an effective, fast and economic negotiation, mediation and trial environment in line with arbitration and mediation rules and international standards, and the following was noted:

“In addition, the OIC Arbitration Center provides secretariat support in arbitration and mediation processes, serves as the appointment authority for the determination of mediators and arbitrators, and provides training and guidance services on arbitration practices. In order to benefit from the arbitration and alternative dispute resolution services of the OIC Arbitration Center, it is sufficient for the parties to agree that the disputes that have arisen or may arise between them will be resolved in accordance with the arbitration or mediation rules of the OIC Arbitration Center and to state this in their contracts or specifications. In this context, public institutions and organizations are parties to “I kindly request your information and advice regarding the evaluation of the arbitration method in question in the conclusion of national and international agreements.”

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek used the following statements in his statement on his social media account:

221 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED

We said, “We will not tolerate street gangs.” We fulfill this promise with determination. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by our Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 296 suspects and 6 children who were dragged into crime were caught as a result of the operations carried out in 8 provinces centered in Adana on April 13 against the “Bayğaralar” armed criminal organization for profit.

233 of the captured suspects and 6 children who were dragged into crimes were referred to the court for arrest; 216 suspects and 5 children who were dragged into crime were arrested, and a judicial control order was given for 17 suspects and 1 child who was dragged into crime. Within the scope of the investigation, strong findings were made that the organization laundered the proceeds of crime through the relatives of the fugitive suspects; In this context, 40 vehicles, 14 plots and lands, 15 houses and many bank accounts worth approximately 276 million TL were seized.

“WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING TO MAKE Türkiye’S CENTURY THE CENTURY OF JUSTICE”

I would like to thank our Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, who carried out this successful operation, and the Adana Provincial Police Department, who served devotedly in the field. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we will continue to work to make the Türkiye Century the century of justice; We will continue our fight uninterruptedly and determinedly against organized crime organizations that threaten our streets and exploit our children.