Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The thirteenth and last Constitution Citizens Meeting held under the secretariat of TEPAV and by the civil society organizations which have come together as the Constitution Platform was held in İstanbul.

Attending the meeting held at the Ataköy Athletics Hall were 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 meeting, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that approximately 5,500 constitution volunteers gathered together during the last 12 meetings and went on, “Just like you, they came together around a table with people they didn’t know. Each expressed their own ideas. They discussed their views maturely. We saw the true spirit of our people in these meetings. We saw how our people could talk maturely and saw how much we have in common the more we talked.”

- “We are together despite having differing views”

Having 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. All of our hearts beat for a stronger Turkey.”

Stating that the goals of the country and the system do not match, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke: “We don’t have a minute to waste. The present system prevents us from realizing our true potential. The Constitution cuts us off at every turn. We waste so much energy on internal fighting. While we have the power to run, we walk. We want to make Turkey a global giant again. Our dreams do not fit this mold. These clothes are too small for this body.

- The new constitution will be written by the people

It is especially important how the new constitution is written as much as the fact that it is being rewritten. To this day, they always said the people don’t know any better. They said that they would write it up and the people would follow. This is why none of the constitutions have been beneficial to this day. Now, the National Assembly has stated that the hand of the people will craft the constitution.  This is the most concrete proof of it. We have come to you for the constitution. The people will have their say in regards to the constitution. There is no fighting here, no discrimination. There is only mature discourse here. Speak freely about the country you dream this will be; what kind of country you want your children to grow up in. Don’t be afraid, your voice will be heard. They will resound throughout the National Assembly. We will present your ideas to the Constitution Negotiation Commission.”

- Speaker of the TBMM Çiçek

TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek stated that they work on behalf of the citizens as members of the TBMM and that giving orders and suggestions are both the rights and within the authority of the citizens.

Stating that they plan on presenting the people with the new constitution in 2012, Çiçek said that Turkey has suffered much in the last century but has gained the republic and democracy.

Çiçek said that the duty which falls unto the TBMM, political parties and organizations is to strengthen the republic and democracy; institutionalizing it to leave an exemplary Turkey for the generations to come.

- Unity message

After the speeches, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek, TBMM Constitution Negationation Commision’s AKP, CHP, MHP and BDP members, members of the Constitution Platform, local and national NGO representatives took a group photo, showing a strong unity.
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