Ankara – Turkey’s Parliament approved on Friday “Proposal for amendments in the Law of Criminal Procedures and other laws”, also known as the fourth judicial reform package, which includes 27 articles. Thus, the parliament has also approved the article demanding “concrete evidence” to prove crimes such as sexual abuse, murder in the first degree and torture.

According to the approved reform package, the crimes against ex-spouses will be considered aggravating circumstances. The court located near the victim's residence will also be authorized for cyber-crimes and crimes related to banks and credit cards. All legal notices will be also informed through telephone, telegraph, e-mail, etc.

Lawyers, rights organizations have criticized the article demanding “concrete evidence” to prove crimes such as sexual abuse, murder in the first degree, and torture. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Women’s Council made a statement after the judicial reform package was approved. “We do not accept Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, nor the article that legitimizes child abuse!” According to Article 13 of the judicial reform package, strong ‘concrete evidence’ is demanded in order to be able to issue an arrest warrant against the abusers. As we stated before; child abuse and crimes against women, genocide, and crimes against humanity should be excluded in this reform package. Not accepting the statements of children and women as concrete evidence means that the perpetrators are rewarded. This reform package ignores the best interests of the children and statements of women. The AKP-MHP coalition has carried out gendered and misogynistic policies in order to acquit sexual abuse crimes and to pave the way for violence against women for years,” HDP Women Council said in the statement.