Photo: AA. Turkish MPs pass bill to strengthen penalties for violence towards healthcare workers
In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Turkish Parliament is taking multiple measures to alleviate the domestic situation.
From April 11 to 12, the country locked down 31 provinces to halt the spread of the virus. On April 14, the penal reform bill was ratified by the Parliament to reduce the sentences of prisoners to ease overcrowding in prison for better protection from COVID-19.
On April 15, the Parliament passed a bill that would strengthen penalties for violence towards healthcare workers. Turkey is currently in a harsh situation with a number of infected cases and high death tolls. Therefore, there are many medical workers on the front line; nearly half a million medical staffers and 360,000 support personnel that fight against the pandemic.
According to the bill, penalties for threatening, insulting, injuring, or hindering healthcare workers from doing their duties will be increased by 50%. In such crimes, however, the provision on the postponement of the prison sentence according to the newly adopted Turkish Penal Code will not be applied.
[Sources]
Avundukluoglu, E. (2020, April 15). Turkey: MPs pass bill protecting healthcare workers. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-mps-pass-bill-protecting-healthcare-workers/1806465
BIA. (2020, April 16). Parliament Passes Bill to Protect Health Workers from Violence. Retrieved from http://bianet.org/english/health/223029-parliament-passes-bill-to-protect-health-workers-from-violence
Zontur, E. C. (2020, April 14). Turkey's penal reform law to meet expectations: Erdogan. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkeys-penal-reform-law-to-meet-expectations-erdogan/1804642
Reuters. (2020, April 13). Turkey to impose fresh lockdown next weekend to halt COVID-19 spread: Erdogan. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-turkey-lockdown/turkey-to-impose-fresh-lockdown-next-weekend-to-halt-covid-19-spread-erdogan-idUSKCN21V1KX
BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr) |