European Parliament to reiterate call for new Turkish Constitution

The European Parliament is expected this week to reiterate its call for Turkey to adopt a new constitution to bolster protections of human rights and freedoms, in a resolution to be discussed by its Foreign Affairs Committee. The resolution penned by European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Ria-Oomen Ruijten praises the passage of constitutional amendments in this September's referendum, stressing "the pressing need for an overall constitutional reform transforming Turkey into a full-fledged pluralistic democracy, with the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at its core." The resolution also praises progress in reforming the judiciary and on military-civilian democracy, urging Parliament "to become active in ensuring parliamentary oversight of security forces, including full oversight of the defense budget." In other areas, however, the document says difficulties persist, citing laws that continue to limit freedom of expression, deterioration of freedom of the press, and a growing self-censorship in the Turkish media as well as Internet restrictions. The draft resolution will first be discussed tomorrow by the Foreign Affairs Committee. A second debate at the same committee will take place in February, and the document will be brought to the full EP in March to be debated and voted on.