Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The first of the “Citizens’ Constitution Meetings” organized by the Constitution Platform, which is comprised of 13 professional organizations, syndicate confederations and civil society organizations with TOBB among them, was held at the TOBB University of Economy and Technology in (TOBB ETU) Ankara. The meeting was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek, Constitution Negotiation Commission Members of the Grand National Assembly, Constitution Platform Members and citizens.

Making a speech during the meeting, held with the slogan “Turkey Speaks”, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that all constituents of society want a new constitution and went on, “Because this nation has great ideals for Turkey. The ideals of the people can no longer be contained within the present mold. The infrastructure we now have no longer aligns Turkey’s goals. It is time that the period of economic, social and political transformation be crowned with a new Constitution.”

- Free discussion platform

Stating that the new constitution should be formed through a process of participatory discussion, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the discussion process should be transformed into a platform for Turkey to review its issues.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We must change these clothes which no longer fit, the tailor should be the people itself. The constitution should reflect the agreement of the people, not experts. We started the participatory constitution process in 2007.”

- Members of the Constitution Platform

“We, as the Turkey Confederation of Craftsmen and Artisans, Turkey Union of Chambers of Agriculture, Turkey Workers’ Syndicates Confederation, Turkey Employers’ Syndicates Confederation, Turkey Public Administration Workers’ Syndicates Confederation, Turkey Law Society Union, Turkey Independent Accountants and Certified Public Accountants Chambers Union, Turkish Veterinarians Union, Turkey Travel Agencies Union, Turkey Notaries Union and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, have formed the Constitution Platform for just this reason.

Our platform has grown steadily. Today, TÜSİAD, TİM MÜSİAD, TUSKON, TÜMSİAD, TÜRKONFED, KADER, Turkey Confederation of the Handicapped, Human Rights Association, Handicapped Foundation, The Capital Women Platform, Natural Life Preservation Foundation, Center for Development of Civil Society and many civil society organizations stand with us.

I would like to thank all organizations and their Presidents who have shown their support for our work.

I observed during the meetings of the Constitution Platform in 2007 that our people have reached the maturity to discuss any matter. It was not easy for everyone in our country to recognize this truth. We have gone through hard times since then.

We are on a historic day. We will make a participatory constitution for the first time in the history of the Republic. We must do this, not behind closed doors in accordance to the wishes of experts but that of the people.

Everyone here will contribute to this process. We will undertake the first application of deliberative democracy in Turkey. We will upgrade our democracy.”

- The constitution of the people will be born

Stating that the worker, the employer, the craftsmen, administration workers, retirees, all parts of society will put forth their opinions, TOBB President said, “We will look each other in the eye and talk about our issues. Turkey will talk and the constitution of the people will be born.”

Stating that this meeting is a beginning, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “For the first time, we are trying our questions and governance. Among us today are over 300 Constitution Volunteers, selected from those who answered over 60,000 messages sent out. Of those participating today; the average age is 41; 68% of participants are male, 32% female; 18% are elementary school graduates, 33% high school, 41% university; 31% are from Çankaya, 23% Yenimahalle, 21% Keçiören, 11% Mamak, 7% Altındağ; there are doctors, businessmen, public servants, barbers, electricians, retirees, unemployed. Throughout the process, thousands of Constitution Volunteers will join us. In the four corners of Anatolia, we will hold meetings of a thousand people each.”

Stating that they wish to make the wishes of each province regarding constitutional matters, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they will identify areas of negotiation and present their findings to the Directorate of the Grand National Assembly.

- Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek

Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek, assessing the new constitution, said “Hopefully we will end this journey in a positive manner by the end of 2012. This is our struggle and we must certainly crown 2012 with a new constitution for our people.”
Çiçek went on, saying that he and the members of the Constitution Negotiation Commission had not come to give speeches but more to listen to the thoughts and views of the participants.
Stating that participants should express whatever they wish from the new constitution, Çiçek said, “We will undertake such a duty for you, for our nation.”

- “We need support”

Stating that they need support during the process, Çiçek went on:
“We don’t want to implement a new constitution and have to go back to fix things for another 30 years, therefore everyone should say what they have to say today and we should finish this work this year. We must bring this to completion in order to disappoint those who do not sufficiently trust in democracy.

- Other speakers

Also making speeches were Constitution Negotiation Commission members; AK Party Rept. Ahmet İyimaya, CHP Rept. Atilla Kart, MHP Rept. Oktay Öztürk.
After the opening ceremony Speaker Çiçek and participants took a commemorative picture.
The meeting continued with the participants relating their views.
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