The Letter by Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış Published in "The Wall Street Journal"

The Letter by Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ Titled "Constitutional Changes Help Türkiye", Published in "The Wall Street Journal" on August 27, 2010

"Türkiye's constitutional amendment package is a much required step to extend individual rights and freedoms ("Vote Pits Türkiye's Premier Against Industries," World News, Aug. 19). It will liberate Türkiye from the restrictions brought by a constitution that was created in the aftermath of a military coup in 1980. In fact, the constitutional amendments have been prepared in light of the Copenhagen political criteria of the European Union and are a major step in Türkiye's accession to the EU.

The package brings positive discrimination for women, children and the handicapped; provides individuals with the right to request the protection of their personal data; extends the labor rights of workers; establishes the ombudsman institution; limits the jurisdiction of the military courts; grants the right of individual applications to the Constitutional Court; ensures that both the Constitutional Court and Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors have a broad-based structure representing different segments of the society; and enables the Parliament to elect the members of the Constitutional Court.

Despite the noise that you might be hearing from the old guard of the dark ages, the package neither aims to control the judiciary nor intends to crush any opposition. On the contrary, it aims to strengthen the democratic system with the necessary checks and balances, and to create a more liberal environment by extending individual rights and freedoms.

Greece, Spain and Portugal all became members of the European Community in the 1980s, following their liberation from dictatorships, by amending their constitutions inherited from the military regimes. Now it is Türkiye's turn to do the right thing and to become a member of the EU."

Please click here for access to the published letter.