Uçum: Turkish language, unitary state and secularism are 'red lines' in new constitution
Mehmet Uçum listed Turkish citizenship, the unitary state and Turkish as the official language and mandatory language of education among the "red lines" for a new constitution.
RastinewsMehmet Uçum, chief advisor to Turkey's president and deputy head of the Presidency's Board of Legal Policies, addressed the need for a new constitution in an article written for Anadolu Agency's (AA) analysis desk. Uçum said a new constitution had become "inevitable" for Turkey.
"29th legislative term a more realistic target"
Uçum said the possibility of drafting a new constitution during parliament's 28th legislative term could not be entirely ruled out. But given time constraints and the issues that still need work, he said the 29th legislative term was a more realistic target. He added that the final decision rested with political leaders and parliament.
Red lines: Turkish language, unitary structure, secularism
Uçum listed the principles he said should form the foundation of the new constitution. According to him, the Turkish nation, Turkish citizenship, Turkish as the official language and mandatory language of education, the Republic, the unitary structure, secularism and the democratic rule of law all count as "red lines." He said the substance of the first four articles must also be preserved.
Uçum also said the presidential system of government, the two-vote rule and the 50+1 percent threshold should not be changed. He said parliament's internal bylaws, the Political Parties Law and election laws also need to be overhauled.
"The 1982 constitution is a product of a coup"
Uçum said that of the current constitution's 154 articles, 58 have never been amended. As a result, he said, roughly two-thirds of the text still bears the marks of the coup era 44 years on.
"Terror-free Turkey" and a referendum
Uçum said the "Terror-Free Turkey" process carried particular weight while work on the new constitution was under way. He said the foundations of a constitution that preserves the climate of peace and brotherhood in society need to be laid. He predicted the new constitution would be approved in a referendum "by a very high margin."
Languages other than Turkish under the 1982 constitution
The 1982 constitution was drafted after the September 12, 1980 coup and approved by referendum on November 7, 1982. Article 3 designates Turkish as the state's official language. Article 42 bars any language other than Turkish from being taught to Turkish citizens as a mother tongue in education and training institutions.
The presidential system of government was approved in an April 16, 2017 referendum and took effect in 2018. Kurdish political parties have for years demanded that the right to education in one's mother tongue be enshrined in the constitution.