State of Emergency Extended for 5th Time
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Making a statement following the meeting of the National Security Council, Council of Ministers Spokesperson Bekir Bozdağ announced yesterday (October 16) that the State of Emergency has been extended for three more months. Turkey has been in State of Emergency since July 21, 2016.
Following the meeting held under the presidency of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday and lasted one hour and 40 minutes, the National Security Council had decided to recommend the cabinet that the State of Emergency be extended for the fifth time for an additional three months, Turkey's airspace be closed to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and İbrahim Halil Border Gate be handed over to Iraq.
State of Emergency in effect since July 21, 2016
The State of Emergency was first declared on July 21, 2016 following the coup attempt on July 15. Of the 461 MPs who were present at the voting, 346 MPs voted in favor and 115 MPs against the State of Emergency.
On October 19, 2016 the State of Emergency that had been in effect for three months, was extended for an additional three months for the first time.
On January 19, 2017 the State of Emergency was extended for three more months for the second time.
On April 19, 2017, the State of Emergency was extended for three more months for the third time.
On July 21, the State of Emergency was extended for the fourth time after being in effect for a whole year.
State of Emergency in the Constitution
The regulations regarding the State of Emergency are regulated in the third section of the Constitution. Article 119 of the Constitution provides that the State of Emergency should be declared "in the case of natural disaster, dangerous epidemic diseases or a serious economic crisis".
CLICK - Content of Bans, Restrictions in State of Emergency
Article 120 of the Constitution regulates foresees that State of Emergency be declared "in the event of serious indications of widespread acts of violence aimed at the destruction of the free democratic order established by the Constitution or of fundamental rights and freedoms, or serious deterioration of public order because of acts of violence".
III. Procedure Governing Emergency RuleA. States of Emergency 1. Declaration of State of Emergency on Account of Natural Disaster or Serious Economic Crisis ARTICLE 119. In the event of natural disaster, dangerous epidemic diseases or a serious economic crisis, the Council of Ministers, meeting under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic may declare a state of emergency in one or more regions or throughout the country for a period not exceeding six months. 2. Declaration of State of Emergency on Account of Widespread Acts of Violence and Serious Deterioration of Public Order ARTICLE 120. In the event of serious indications of widespread acts of violence aimed at the destruction of the free democratic order established by the Constitution or of fundamental rights and freedoms, or serious deterioration of public order because of acts of violence, the Council of Ministers, meeting under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic, after consultation with the National Security Council, may declare a state of emergency in one or more regions or throughout the country for a period not exceeding six months. |
(ÇT/DG)