Kurtulmuş tells DEM Party panel could be set up in early December
DEM Party co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş pointed to early December for the launch of the Monitoring and Follow-up Committee envisioned under the "framework law."
RastinewsDEM Party co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said her party asked Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, during his visit to DEM Party headquarters, when the Monitoring and Follow-up Committee would be established. According to Kurtulmuş's answer, the committee could be set up in early December.
Speaking to Koza TV, Hatimoğulları said the meeting also covered the committee's structure and duties.
"We want it set up without delay"
Hatimoğulları noted the committee's formation has already been delayed. She relayed Kurtulmuş's response in these words:
"We asked the Speaker when the committee would be set up. He said it was highly likely the committee could be established in early December. We want it set up without any further delay."
"It can't pass laws, but it can propose them"
Hatimoğulları said the committee would not function as a specialized parliamentary committee empowered to draft legislation. Instead, it should operate more like an advisory body and take on broader responsibilities.
"It may not be able to pass laws, but it can propose them. This is not a Specialized Committee, so it cannot legislate," she said.
Parties without parliamentary groups also requested
DEM Party wants all parties represented in Parliament — whether they hold a parliamentary group or not — included in the committee. Hatimoğulları said peace is everyone's concern, adding that they told Kurtulmuş the committee should be formed with broad participation rather than getting bogged down over the number of members.
That request runs counter to the governing camp's apparent preference. Reports in October said the AKP wants the committee kept narrow, with a membership of 15, 17 or 20.
The committee was envisioned under the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion — known as the "framework law" — which Parliament passed on August 10. Under the law, the committee was to be formed by the Speaker's office to monitor the steps taken under the legislation.