Aslı Murat: Without Social Justice, There is No Democracy

"Laws Exist, But They Are Not Implemented"

Speaking to Kıbrıs Postası, Aslı Murat stressed that social justice is one of the fundamental principles of law and that the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) includes the principle of a social state. However, despite existing legal regulations, she pointed out serious implementation gaps. Murat noted, “For example, social security and job security for workers in the private sector are insufficient. In the public sector, the widespread patronage system undermines merit-based equality of opportunity. There are serious issues regarding job security and employment opportunities for women and youth.”

Murat added, “The most important message to society is that 'demanding equal rights and a fair life for everyone is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right.'"

"Minimum Wage Does Not Match Living Conditions"

Murat emphasized that social justice is directly related to income distribution equality and pointed out that the minimum wage is not suitable for living conditions. “The minimum wage set for 2025 is below the cost of living. A large portion of workers in the private sector are without social security. The issue of informal and uninsured labor remains significant. Furthermore, applying different minimum wages for local and foreign workers is an approach that evokes modern slavery,” she said.

"Access to Justice is Not Available to Everyone"

Aslı Murat also highlighted major difficulties in accessing justice due to the heavy workload of courts and the high costs of legal services. “Due to the congestion in courts, cases can drag on for many years. Legal aid mechanisms are insufficient. Particularly, low-income individuals face great difficulty in accessing legal support,” she said. Murat suggested strengthening free or low-cost legal aid mechanisms to address this issue.

"Accessibility for Disabled Individuals is Not Provided"

Murat pointed out significant deficiencies in protecting the rights of disabled individuals in the TRNC. “Accessibility in public spaces is still a major issue. For instance, many government institutions are not accessible to wheelchair users. Public transportation is not suitable for disabled individuals. There is no mandatory quota for employing disabled persons in the public sector,” she concluded.