Divisive Turkish referendum passes

[mike r]

Source: CNN

A divisive national referendum in Turkey over 26 proposed amendments to the country's constitution was set to become a resounding victory for the prime minister and the ruling party, results showed... The proposed amendments include articles that would allow collective bargaining for public sector workers and affirmative action measures for women. But when asked what was the most important achievement of the reform package, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made it clear that the main goal was to alter the judiciary system...

The proposed reforms include amendments to the judicial system, curbs on the power of military courts and an article abolishing the immunity currently enjoyed by the leaders of the 1980 coup. Other measures would guarantee gender equality and put in place measures to protect children, the elderly and the disabled. Turkish lawmakers approved the package earlier this year but not by the two-thirds majority necessary for the government to press ahead without a referendum. The measures have also been ratified by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Erdogan's AKP ally.

But Turkey's opposition argue that the reforms would further undermine the secular foundations on which modern Turkey was established in 1923. They claim the reforms would give the prime minister too much power over the judiciary, making him a "modern-day sultan." Hasan Gerceker, the head of Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals, this week warned that the changes would politicize the judiciary.

Berhan Simsek, head of the main opposition CHP's Istanbul branch, told CNN that by packaging the judicial changes with less controversial proposals, the AKP had "coated a poisonous pill with chocolate." "This will put all the branches of government into one man's hand," Simsek said. "It will be one-man rule, like Saddam Hussein, or the Fuhrer." Analysts say Sunday's vote is the latest confrontation in a power struggle between Erdogan's Islamist-rooted party and Turkey's secularist establishment, which have repeatedly clashed since AKP swept to power eight years ago.


Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/12/turkey.referendum

[davidinalameda]

1. interesting comment

Let me put the truly problematic part of this referandum, the power over judiciary, in simple terms: It increases the number of Supreme Court judges from 11 to 17, and AKP gets to appoint the 6 judges in between right now. It is that simple.

In addition, the judiciary committee whose job includes appointing high court/appelate judges is also enlarged, from 7 to 22 members. As you guessed it, the 15 new members will be appointed by the current government.

This is the effective take-over of the judiciary branch of the government. Other items, including better union rights, prosecution of coup generals etc. were never opposed by the rest of the public, and are truly good points. However, AKP insisted on bringing the whole package to vote. I believe this strategy is also quite familiar to American politics.

I hope this makes it clear - it seems most news organizations do not put this "breaking the judiciary caste system" in its true meaning


so this is nothing more than an attempt by the ruling Islamist party to stack the supreme court

[Alameda]

4. and you base that on what?

You have some deep inner knowledge regarding the political systems in Turkey? Also...I'm curious why you call yourself davidinalameda?

[riderinthestorm]

7. I heard it on NPR this evening as well. That the conservatives are trying to pack the court

is well known both within Turkey and in the broader news world.


They tied this maneuver however, in with other reforms that the people did want. The Turkish people however are in for a surprise when they see how deeply affected their country will be with this kind of court packing. We here in the US would be aghast if this were to happen here and someone like Bush could appoint 6 new Supremes - what's happening in Turkey is similar.

[Vehl]

5. I fear you are correct

Some of my Turkish friends have expressed the same view regarding this.

Turkey is one of the very few secular nations on that part of the world. It would sad indeed if religion is allowed into politics.
:(

[sam sarrha]

2. it is only a matter of time before Sharia becomes Turkey's Constitution. in the Rest of the World

Islam is known mostly as a Political and Legal System with religious elements.

[dhpgetsit]

3. I lived in Istanbul for several years of my childhood

I have great memories of the good food wonderful people and nice scenery. I am happy that they are affirming democratic values.

[AngryAmish]

8. They are affirming one man, one vote, one time

Secularism is dead in Turkey.

[bemildred]

6. It's nice to see democratic rule restored in Turkey. nt

[Judi Lynn]

9. Turkey poised for major shakeup as voters back constitutional reforms

Source: Guardian

Turkey poised for major shakeup as voters back constitutional reforms
PM celebrates unexpectedly easy win in referendum on amendments opposed by all opposition parties
Robert Tait in Istanbul guardian.co.uk,
Sunday 12 September 2010 21.16 BST

Turkey stood on the brink of a ground-breaking political transformation tonight after voters in a referendum backed a constitutional shakeup designed to tame its once mighty secular establishment.

With more than 99% of votes counted, returns showed 58% backing for amendments that would drastically curtail the judiciary and make the armed forces subservient to civilian rule.

The result confounded earlier forecasts of a tight race and represented a stunning political triumph for Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his ruling Justice and Development party (AKP), which is rooted in political Islam.

The government had called the vote to decide on a 26-article reform package that it said would give Turkey a democratic constitution fit for EU membership and mark a break with the country's baleful legacy of military coups.


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/12/turkey-voters-constitutional-reforms

[Judi Lynn]

10. Turkish Reforms Pass by Wide Margin

Turkish Reforms Pass by Wide Margin
By SEBNEM ARSU and DAN BILEFSKY
Published: September 12, 2010

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkish voters approved a sweeping package of constitutional reforms by a wide margin on Sunday, handing a major victory to the Islamist-rooted government and marking another concrete step in an inexorable shift in power away from the secular Westernized elite that has governed modern Turkey for most of its history.

The changes were intended to bring Turkey’s military-imposed Constitution in line with European standards of law and democracy but were widely viewed by voters and politicians here as a referendum on the government of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

According to unofficial results issued late Sunday night, the package of 26 constitutional amendments passed with 58 percent of the vote, the semi-official Anatolian News Agency reported. About 42 percent voted against the measure.

“The ‘yes’ verdict in today’s referendum is a result of our nation’s longing for democracy,” Mr. Erdogan told the country in a live television broadcast, punctuated by outbursts of his supporters chanting, “Turkey is proud of you.”

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/world/europe/13turkey.html?_r=1&ref=world

[bemildred]

11. I wish they would stop calling the government "Islamist-rooted".

It's ignorant.

[atreides1]

12. It kind of has roots in an Islamist political party?

Virtue Party (Turkish: Fazilet Partisi, FP) was a Islamist political party established in December 1998 in Turkey. It was found unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court and then banned in June 2001, for violating the secularist articles of the Constitution. After the party's ban, the party MPs founded two parties: reformist Justice and Development Party (AKP) and traditionalist Felicity Party (SP).

[bemildred]

14. Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.

The EU seems to be applauding this change:

EU urges Turkey to go further with internal reforms

Turkish citizens on Sunday (12 September) approved a constitutional reform that would weaken the influence of the military, but the EU has warned it will keep a close watch on the implementation of the changes and urged further fundamental rights reforms.

The proposed changes, passed with an estimated 58 percent in favour and 42 against, would allow civilian courts to try military personnel for crimes against the state and opens the way to prosecuting those involved in the country's 1980 military coup.

They also allow for more appointees to the constitutional court and for the parliament to be involved in selecting more of the judges. Other changes include lifting the ban on politically motivated strikes and the recognition of the right to protection of personal information. The final results of the vote are expected to be officially announced on Monday.

The Yes vote is a blow to the influence of the country's military and a boost for the justice and Development Party (AKP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rooted in political islam, and provides a strong platform the party as the country heads into general elections next year 2011. Mr Erdogan is seeking to win a third term.

http://euobserver.com/9/30782

[formercia]

16. Military Rule

and the connection of the Military to right-wing reactionary forces elsewhere in the World.

1980 is also the Year the reich-wing staged a coup against President Carter here.

These events are connected.

[harun]

13. Democracy > Military Coup's. Way to go Turkey!

[autorank]

15. This article is pathetic. The anti Turkish sentiment is profound

Here's what the referendum does. Those who committed the 1980 coup against a legitimately elected civilian government are now eligible for prosecution. Prosecution for those responsible for major plots called Eregenekon and Sledgehammer - plots where the military planned and executed false flag attacks on their own people - will continue. The civilian branch of government will control the military, rather than the military controlling everything. CNN is so full of shit to even include this criticism. It is pure disinformation.

Key issues in constitutional changes

Some key issues in a package of 26 reforms to Turkey’s military coup-era Constitution voted on in Sunday’s referendum:

Military -- Gives officers fired by the military the right to appeal. Redefines the jurisdiction of military courts, empowers civilian courts to try military personnel for crimes against state security or against the constitutional order -- such as coup attempts. Opens the way for the prosecution of Turkey’s 1980 military coup leaders.

Equality -- Strengthens gender equality and bars discrimination against children, the elderly, the disabled and veterans.

Privacy -- Recognizes the right to protection of personal information and access to official personal records.

Freedoms -- Restricts travel bans imposed on individuals.

Labor -- Allows membership in more than one union in a workplace. Recognizes the right to collective bargaining for civil servants and other state employees. Removes bans on politically motivated strikes.

Parliament -- Ensures elected lawmakers stay in Parliament if their political party is disbanded by a court decision.

Constitutional Court -- Increases the number of judges on the Constitutional Court from 11 to 17 and gives power to Parliament to appoint some of them. Recognizes the right of individual appeals to the court.

Judiciary -- Increases the number of members on the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), which oversees the appointments of judges and prosecutors in the country, from seven to 22. Opens the way for appeals of decisions to remove them from the profession. Today's Zaman Sept 13, 2010[br />

[Bragi]

17. This discussion here seems to be well-informed

I'm outta here!

:)

(Seriously, thanks for the insight.)