Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Diyarbakır stage of the “Constitution Citizen Meetings” held by the 13 professional organizations and NGOs which have come together under the name of the Constitution Platform with the secretariat of TEPAV and attended by the TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek, TBMM Constitution Negotiation Commission’s AKP, CHP and BDP members as well as the representatives of regional and national NGOs and many citizens.

TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the opening of the Diyarbakır constitution meeting, stated that Diyarbakır is a city of thousands of years of civilization, scholarship and enlightenment and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the meeting.

Stating that Turkey needs a new constitution, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke: “Because this nation is great and has great goals. We are talking about the top 10 economies. We will be a leader among countries. However our ideals no longer fit this mold. These garments are too small for us. This constitution is unable to support our goals. For this reason, we have come together. Now, we have a great opportunity in our hands. All parts of society and political parties in the TBMM have agreed upon a new constitution. The people will be the tailor for the new garments we will wear. This constitution should be born of the agreement of the people, not experts.”

Stating that the new constitution would be one that focuses on the individual; excludes all discrimination; strives to realize the ideal of equality in all fields of social life; enables individuals to benefit from rights and freedoms on a universal standard; is democratic and maintains the principles of secular state and rule of law, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Today is the day to state your thoughts and contribute to the future of the country.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that people and NGOs of differing aims and views share the same feelings and ideals of Turkey, said, “Hopefully, by the end of this process our children will inherit a country with more freedom, prosperity and confidence. We held meetings in Ankara, Konya and Edirne before this. Today, many civil society organizations stand among us. This is the day to speak up. This is the day to lay the foundation to Turkey’s future.

Expressing his wish that everyone should contribute to the formation of a new constitution, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Whatever your political or religious views are, if you don’t speak up today, the responsibility for the consequences lie with you.”

Members of the Constitution Platform are: Turkey Chambers of Agriculture Union (TZOB), Turkey Craftsmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK), Turkey Laborer Syndicates Confederation (TÜRK-İŞ), Turkey Employers’ Syndicates Confederation (TİSK), HAK Workers’ Syndicate Confederation (HAK-İŞ), Public Servants’ Syndicates Confederation (MEMUR-SEN), Turkey Public Administration Workers’ Syndicates Confederation (T.KAMU-SEN), Turkey Independent Accountants, Financial Consultants and Certified Public Accountants Chambers Union (TÜRMOB), Turkish Veterinarians Union (TVHB), Turkey Bar Associations Union (TBB), Turkey Travel Agencies Union (TÜRSAB), Turkey Notaries Union (TNB) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

- Hisarcıklıoğlu delivers new of a faculty in Diyarbakır

Concluding his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the TOBB University of Economy and Technology would be opening a faculty in Diyarbakır. Hisarcıklıoğlu presented his thanks to the Diyarbakır Mayor Mustafa Toprak and TOBB Board Member and Diyarbakır Trade Exchange President Fahrettin Akyıl and everyone who contributed to the process.

- TBMM Speaker Çiçek: “We can do nothing contrary your will and demand, we won’t and we shouldn’t.”

TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek, regarding the work on the new constitution, said, “We can do nothing contrary your will and demand, we won’t and we shouldn’t. That is why we have come to ask you. We ask you, what kind of constitution do you want?”

Stating that they do not come to these meetings to talk, but to listen, Çiçek said that every idea, thought and request will be evaluated, “Let there be no doubt, we will do it.”

Çiçek emphasized the political establishment has a lot to lose if they are unable to implement a new constitution and that everyone should be implicitly aware of this fact.

The Constitution Negotiation Commission Members AK Party Karabük Representative Mehmet Ali Şahin and BDP Diyarbakır Representative Altan Tan also made speeches during the meeting, expressing their support and conviction regarding the implementation of the new constitution.
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