Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The ninth “Constitution Citizens’ Meeting” was held in Bursa under the secretariat of TEPAV and the attendance of the civil society organizations congregating under the Constitution Platform.

The meeting held at the Merinos Atatürk Congress and Culture Center was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek, the TBMM Constitution Negotiation Commission’s AKP, CHP, MHP and BDP members, the Constitution Platform members, local and national NGO representatives and randomly selected citizens.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking about the historical importance of Bursa, said, “Bursa stood witness to the transformation of the Ottomans from a small state to a magnificent empire. Many politicians and artists of our country are the children of this city. It is very important that we are holding the 9th Constitution Platform meeting in Bursa. The views of the citizens who live in this city of industry, culture and education will contribute greatly to our new constitution.”

- We’ve come together to contribute to a new constitution

Stating that they have come together as civil society organizations, mainly professional organizations and syndicate confederations, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is very significant. All of these organizations have differing world views, differing interests. There are businessmen among us, workers, merchants and pensioners. If you were to ask one by one, we would all say something different. But we have come together for the future of this country, for a new constitution.

- A new constitution is a must for achieving our goals

Stating that Turkey is the world’s 17th largest economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I boast of this everywhere I go. But, honestly, I’m not satisfied with it. Because what suits us is to play for the top. Isn’t that what my ancestors did? Wasn’t Bursa witness to this? We have set ourselves a goal. We will be one of the top 10 economies by 2023. Per capita income will reach 25,000 Dollars. Because this nation deserves it. In order to achieve this, we need a constitution which will increase the quality of our democracy and our economic power.”

Stating that the present constitution has become very much of a rag bag, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke:

“This suit of clothes no longer fit us. We can’t run in it. I will say it clearly; we don’t have a single minute to waste. We need a constitution which embodies the will of the people, not one forced on by the select few or interim regimes or coups. Such a constitution will enable us to achieve our 2023 goals with all due haste. Our goal with the new constitution is to set it, not on paper, but on the hearts of our people. It is to put forth a constitution which everyone will accept.

If a new suit is to be tailored, the people themselves should do this. The constitution should not be formed behind closed doors according to the agreement of experts but according to the agreement of the people. To this day, experts have written it and the citizens assented.

This time you will dictate to the experts. An order wherein those ruled respect the ruler, the ruler respects the people and the people respect justice must be created.”

- Today is the day to talk

“All we want from you is to clearly state what you want. Don’t think about whether or not you’ll be misunderstood or if you’ll make a mistake. Discuss your honest opinions. If you don’t talk today, the blame falls to you. You can be sure that your efforts will not be in vain. Be sure that your voice will be heard. Your ideas will resound through Ankara. This is our duty. We will organize everything and present it to the Negotiation Commission.

- TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek

TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek said in his speech, “I hope that the political institution will not make this constitution matter into an April Fools’ joke and successfully complete the process with its head held high. I hope this is the case and I daresay we need it.”

Stating that there is no doubt that there is a need for a new constitution, Çiçek spoke:

“We must all understand the consequences and losses caused by having a constitution which has been changed 17 times in 30 years and that which causes crises every 13-14 months. There is no need for a long-winded explanation of the need for a new constitution. There is both a need and a social demand for it. I would like to thank the representatives who have brought us here together today. There is both need and demand. Turkey has over two centuries of experience since 1808 in crafting constitutions.”

Çiçek stated that the work in regards to the new constitution must be brought to its final stages by the end of 2012, and said that the new constitution would not be a condescension or charity of the political institution to the people.
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