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Turkey
File photo of a neighborhood security force, entitled the Bekçi or “night watchmen.” Photo: AA
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Turkish parliament passed a controversial bill late Wednesday which grants more powers to a neighborhood security force, entitled the “night watchmen.” The move was criticized by opposition parties, who accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of establishing a loyal “militia.”
Locally known as bekçi (night watchman), the force, which is centralized under the ministry of interior, now has almost the same powers as the police. The new legislation allows the watchmen to carry weapons, stop or arrest people, and ask for IDs.
Ali Oztunc, a lawmaker for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), told Rudaw English on Thursday that they do not oppose having the night watchman, but claims that the AKP wants to establish a force fully loyal to itself.
“We are not against the watchmen, but it is wrong to give them the powers mentioned in the law. If the watchmen are given such power, then there is no need to have police. All the powers given to police are given to the watchmen as well .. The AKP is establishing its armed police force,” he said.
Oztunc claims that the AKP “wants to create jobs for its men.”
Mahir Polat, another CHP lawmaker, claimed that the AKP wants to set up a “militia.”
The first establishment of the force dates back to 1914, during the Ottoman Empire, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reestablished it in 2017, following a failed coup attempt in July 2016.
The force consists of 21,292 “night eagles.” An additional, 8,242 others were about to begin working for the force, according to February 2020 data from the ministry.
The ministry has defended giving more power to the force, claiming that the average of daily burglaries has decreased by 47 percent since 2017. Many criticize the preparation curriculum for members, who receive only three months of theoretical training and two-months of practical training.
According to ministry data, 77 percent of the members of the force have not received university-level education.
The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has borne the brunt of the post-2016 government crackdown on dissidents, due to the party’s alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) - an armed group which fights for the cultural and political rights of Kurds in Turkey. Ankara regards the PKK as a terrorist organization.
Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu is an HDP parliamentarian who is also a member of the human rights committee at the Turkish parliament.
He told Rudaw English on Thursday that, “the law on the ‘night watchmen’ was the last effort the government needed to create a police state.”
“The government, which is trying to oppressively control everywhere, tries to control the streets and even inside the house. I'm not calling it the night watchmen’s law. This is a new police force law. This police force will try to oppress all opponents. The Peoples' Democratic Party will probably be the most affected [party] by this law,” he added.
“The powers of the night watchmen have been increased. These powers will make them more unquestionable and social peace will deteriorate,” added the MP.
Locally known as bekçi (night watchman), the force, which is centralized under the ministry of interior, now has almost the same powers as the police. The new legislation allows the watchmen to carry weapons, stop or arrest people, and ask for IDs.
Ali Oztunc, a lawmaker for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), told Rudaw English on Thursday that they do not oppose having the night watchman, but claims that the AKP wants to establish a force fully loyal to itself.
“We are not against the watchmen, but it is wrong to give them the powers mentioned in the law. If the watchmen are given such power, then there is no need to have police. All the powers given to police are given to the watchmen as well .. The AKP is establishing its armed police force,” he said.
Oztunc claims that the AKP “wants to create jobs for its men.”
Mahir Polat, another CHP lawmaker, claimed that the AKP wants to set up a “militia.”
The first establishment of the force dates back to 1914, during the Ottoman Empire, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reestablished it in 2017, following a failed coup attempt in July 2016.
The force consists of 21,292 “night eagles.” An additional, 8,242 others were about to begin working for the force, according to February 2020 data from the ministry.
The ministry has defended giving more power to the force, claiming that the average of daily burglaries has decreased by 47 percent since 2017. Many criticize the preparation curriculum for members, who receive only three months of theoretical training and two-months of practical training.
According to ministry data, 77 percent of the members of the force have not received university-level education.
The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has borne the brunt of the post-2016 government crackdown on dissidents, due to the party’s alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) - an armed group which fights for the cultural and political rights of Kurds in Turkey. Ankara regards the PKK as a terrorist organization.
Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu is an HDP parliamentarian who is also a member of the human rights committee at the Turkish parliament.
He told Rudaw English on Thursday that, “the law on the ‘night watchmen’ was the last effort the government needed to create a police state.”
“The government, which is trying to oppressively control everywhere, tries to control the streets and even inside the house. I'm not calling it the night watchmen’s law. This is a new police force law. This police force will try to oppress all opponents. The Peoples' Democratic Party will probably be the most affected [party] by this law,” he added.
“The powers of the night watchmen have been increased. These powers will make them more unquestionable and social peace will deteriorate,” added the MP.
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