Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said the State of Emergency Procedures Investigation Commission will begin work most probably this week. ‘‘It should have begun earlier but there have been delays due to the upcoming referendum period. However, we expect that the work may begin this week," Minister Bozdağ said in his interview with Haberturk daily on Sunday. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli told Anadolu Agency (AA) on March 16 that the commission will begin to hear cases shortly. "Appointments regarding the commission will be made shortly," he said. "We expect the commission to go in action and receive appeals before April 16."

More than 120,000 people have been dismissed or suspended under an emergency order imposed in the wake of the July 15 attempted coup, although thousands have since returned to their jobs.

The commission will receive applications about removals or dismissals from public service and education institutions, as well as the closure of associations. Applications to the commission will be made through the governor's offices. Those who have been removed from public service, professions or organizations, as well as those who have been suspended, may also apply to the institution where they last worked. The commission will consist of seven members, three of whom will be appointed by the prime minister, one by the Justice Ministry, one by the Interior Ministry and two by the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).

The commission's term will be two years, and members are expected to issue over 100,000 applications about the decree decisions within their term.