Turkey’s justice minister backs inclusive Constitution

ANKARA

Turkey’s justice minister said Friday that he wants to create an inclusive Constitution as the country begins debates on a new set of laws.

“Our first duty is to make a Constitution that every part of [society] would say ‘this is my Constitution,’” said Abdulhamit Gul during an interview with TRT Haber, Turkey’s state-run news channel.

Gul’s remarks came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this month that “perhaps it is time for Turkey to discuss a new Constitution again.”

Noting that Erdogan announced a Judicial Reform Strategy Document in May 2019, Gul said the document maps out what should be done in the field of judiciary and law until 2023.

Stressing that one of the goals of the Judicial Reform Strategy Document is the preparation of a Human Rights Action Plan, Gul said: “We have been working on this action plan for about 1.5 years, it is part of the judicial reform.”

Following the judicial reform announcement, the Turkish parliament adopted three judicial packages that include regulations that bring maximum time to the detentions, he said.

According to Gul, approximately 50% of the document has been implemented, and those that have not will continue with the judicial package.

Last Wednesday, Turkey's president urged political parties to participate in drafting a new Constitution.

"We want all political parties to take part in this process. We will make a sincere effort to this end," Erdogan told his party's parliamentary group in Ankara.

Turkey should draft a Constitution that will meet the needs of the next century, he said.

"Let's prepare our proposals on the new Constitution this year and start discussions. Let us share these with our nation with a visionary perspective, goodwill, and constructive approach, without leaving anyone and any segment behind," he said.

On Friday, Ramazan Can, a lawmaker from the central Kirikkale province, told Anadolu Agency that Turkey's new Constitution will make fundamental rights and liberties the rule of law and democracy its priorities.

"We will put forward a draft Constitution in which all parts of our society will be represented, and that will prioritize fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law and democracy," he added.

Turkey's current Constitution is a coup-era artifact, drawn up by an advisory council selected by generals who carried out the Sept. 12, 1980 coup, said Can.