It sounds like something out of a science fiction film – legislators proposing laws long before a global pandemic breaks out. But that’s exactly what happened in Turkey.

In July 2018, a group of ten MPs led by Mustafa Sezgin Tanrıkulu of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) introduced a bill to parliament. Their proposal aimed to criminalise vaccination refusers in order to maintain public confidence in vaccination efforts. If the bill is passed, people who oppose or even criticise vaccinations could be punished with up to one year in prison.

In August 2018, just 15 months before the outbreak of the pandemic, another proposal emerged. This time it came from Sefer Ay Can, a representative of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Can’s bill envisaged even harsher penalties – up to two years in prison for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. He even proposed increasing the penalty for repeat offenders by 50%.

These preventative measures raise eyebrows and questions. Were these MPs somehow clairvoyant and foresaw an impending health crisis? Or were their proposals pure coincidence, born out of concern for public health?

Whatever the motives, these bills shed light on the ongoing debate about individual freedoms and public safety. As these proposals continue to move through the parliamentary processes, it remains to be seen how they will shape Turkey’s response to future health crises.

What do you think of these legislative initiatives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source

https://teyit.org/analiz/2019-yilinda-chp-tarafindan-covid-19-asisinin-zorunlu-olmasi-icin-kanun-teklifi-verildigi-iddiasi