Top business organization urges for reforms to secure judicial independence, media freedom

Turkey's top business organization has urged the country's new cabinet to address and solve the problems plaguing judicial independence and media freedom immediately with a series of "required reforms," adding normalization was "crucial." 

"In order to be able to maintain social peace, we need to close our deficiencies in the rule of law, the independence of the courts and the right to fair trial immediately. This process needs to start now. There is a Judicial Reform Strategy in our hands that needs to be realized? In addition to this, the extension of liberties through the adaptation of several international agreements about basic rights and freedoms into our local law, and the definition of 'freedom of expression and media freedom as a red line' are of great importance, and in need of urgent reform," said the head of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜS?AD), Cansen Ba?aran Symes, at the association's High Advisory Board (Y?K) Meeting on Dec. 3. 

She noted the Turkish society has been overwhelmed and tensed, adding the normalization of the country and politics was crucial, "as stated by the Prime Minister [Ahmet Davuto?lu]" within the new government program.

"We wish for the easing of tension and a return to our natural life rhythm, where peace rules rather than terror," she added. 

She noted there were also some challenging issues in development and industry. 

"We need urgent reforms to maintain our low saving rates, to fight the informal economy, to raise the [level of] female participation into the workforce, to decrease the youth unemployment rates and last but not the least, to increase the quality of our education system," she said. 

Ba?aran Symes said there were four uninterrupted years...