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Türkiye’s 11th Judicial Reform Package was approved by the Justice Committee of the Turkish Parliament, paving the way for the bill to be debated in the General Assembly.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the proposal amends 12 different laws and consists of 38 articles.
In a social media statement, Tunc recalled that the bill, officially titled the Law Proposal on Amendments to the Turkish Penal Code and Certain Laws, was approved by the TBMM Justice Committee.
He said the package was prepared in line with the objectives of the Türkiye Century Judicial Reform Strategy Document. He added that it includes regulations aimed at strengthening social peace, improving access to justice, protecting children from crime, combating criminal organizations that target children, increasing penalties for traffic-endangering offenses, preventing celebratory gunfire, reinforcing the criminal justice system, and enhancing efforts against cybercrime and fraud.
Tunc thanked all lawmakers who contributed to the committee process and said the reforms would further support Türkiye’s judicial goals.
The committee completed discussions after nearly 10 hours of debate on the second day of meetings.
According to lawmakers, the package includes major changes to criminal enforcement, procedural rules and court jurisdictions across Türkiye.
One of the most debated articles, Article 27, known publicly as the “COVID-19 provision,” initially proposed expanding early release mechanisms for inmates who committed crimes before July 31, 2023.
The original provision envisioned an additional three-year early transition to supervised release and eligibility for open prisons.
The measure, built on earlier pandemic-era laws allowing inmates with five years or fewer remaining in their sentence to be released on parole, intended to reduce prison overcrowding.
Under the revised text adopted by the committee, those convicted of intentional homicide against a spouse, former spouse, close relatives, children, women and individuals unable to protect themselves physically or mentally are excluded.
Individuals convicted of sexual assault or child sexual abuse were also removed from eligibility. Terrorism and organized crime-related offenses remain categorically excluded.
The early-release rule had been expected to apply to approximately 55,000 inmates, though the updated language significantly reduces this number.
The committee also approved increased penalties for firing weapons in residential or public areas, including wedding ceremonies.
Another measure imposes stricter punishment for organized crime groups that use children as intermediaries.
The package strengthens sanctions against forming criminal organizations, raising sentences for establishing or leading such groups from 4 to 8 years to 5 to 10 years when the organization possesses the structure or resources to commit designated offenses.
If children are used in crimes carried out on behalf of the organization, penalties for leaders will increase by 50% to 100%.
The bill expands criminal liability for obstructing transportation.
Beyond hijacking or seizing a vehicle, preventing a vehicle from departing or forcing it to stop will now be punishable.
Obstructing a transport vehicle may carry 1–3 years in prison, diverting a vehicle 2–5 years, and maritime or rail-related acts 3–7 years. Blocking or diverting an aircraft will carry 5–12 years.
Amendments to the Turkish Penal Code’s “insanity” clause ensure that individuals with partial mental impairment receive both criminal penalties and mandatory security measures in specialized psychiatric institutions.
Those ordered to undergo treatment will spend a minimum of one year in institutional care for offenses requiring aggravated life imprisonment and at least six months for crimes with statutory minimums exceeding ten years.
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