TÜBA-Terrorism, Terror Crimes and Execution Law Symposium
Organized in cooperation with TÜBA and chaired by TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. İzzet Özgenç, the "Symposium on Terrorism, Terror Crimes and Execution Law" was hosted by Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University (AHBV) on 28-30 September 2023.
Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, AHBV Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci Bostancı, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, and AHBV Faculty of Law Dean Prof. Dr. İlhan Üzülmez opened the symposium within the scope of "18th Turkish Criminal Law Days" at the 100th Year Cultural Center of the University. The program was attended by Prof. Dr. Cumhur Şahin, Member of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, former Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç, former MP Hakkı Köylü and many academics and students.
Faculty members from the law faculties of 18 universities in Türkiye participated. In the 2-day symposium, a total of 85 scientists participated in the sessions prepared under 15 different titles ranging from the problems of execution law related to terrorism crimes to terrorism and terrorism crimes, from the problem of associating a political party with terrorism to the propaganda of terrorism and terrorist organization, and a discussion program was organized after each session.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Bostancı said that in a country like Türkiye, which has been struggling with terrorism for many years, the results achieved by discussing the issue on a legal basis will provide significant benefits.
Pointing out that terrorism is the weapon of the weak, Bostancı said, "It should not be forgotten that through terrorism, they are essentially trying to gain power and power that they cannot obtain through ordinary means. They are trying to obtain a power that they cannot have in democratic processes through violence. The method they use here is to persuade or manipulate the crowds, that is, the public, to their own ambitions and goals with a sense of terror."
Determining the scope and borders is of utmost importance
Governor Şahin stated that terrorism represents a severe crime for all of humanity, regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin. Stating that Türkiye is among the countries most affected by terrorism, Şahin said: "The fact that a significant portion of our national resources is spent on the fight against terrorism, and the international reliability of the legality of Türkiye’s practices in the fight against terrorism, has revealed the necessity and need to address the issue of terrorism and terrorist crimes on the basis of law. It is of great importance to determine the scope and boundaries of the preventive law enforcement activities carried out for the purpose of combating terrorism, effectively and at the same time on the basis of law."
It will contribute to the development of Turkish Criminal Law
Şahin emphasized that the distinction between criminal and non-criminal acts will serve an important function in ensuring the legality of scientific data on which crimes should be considered terrorism crimes and the boundaries between terrorism and politics on legal grounds, as well as the legality of practices in this field.
Commenting on Türkiye’s fight against terrorism on legal grounds, Şahin continued his words as follows: "These scientific meetings organized on the occasion of the entry into force of the new Turkish Criminal Law are an excellent opportunity. The discussion of terrorism, terrorist crimes and execution law at this meeting will contribute to the development of Turkish Criminal Law. The information and experience to be shared on these issues will shed light on the practice and will be an important guiding source for those of us who are struggling in the field."
Dean Prof. Dr. İlhan Üzülme said; "Our symposium is organized to discuss the legal aspects of terrorism, which is a serious criminal offense and a problem of the humanity. Terrorism is an intricate and multifaceted problem. Therefore, combating such a problem leads to many dilemmas in terms of law. The issues addressed in the symposium are largely about these difficulties and dilemmas." After 2 days of intensive program, the symposium ended with the Evaluation and Briefing on the Final Report.
