Turkey's CHP head criticizes constitutional amendments

By Mustafa Yildiz, Serhat Zafer and Sercan Kucuksahin

KAYSERI, Turkey

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader on Wednesday criticized the proposed constitutional amendments, claiming they have nothing to do with human rights and freedom of speech.

"Does this constitutional change make the parliament more powerful, does it reflect the national will on the parliament properly? No reference at all [to these principles]," Kemal Kilicdaroglu said at a rally in Sariz district of central Kayseri province.

“We defend democracy and human rights. ... We say that those who don't agree with us should express their opinion freely. None of this is included in the [proposed new] constitution," he said.

CHP chairman underlined the necessity of reinforcing the common ground that links everybody together.

“No matter what party or ideology we feel attached to, we should strengthen our common denominators which are our national flag, homeland, democracy, human rights, freedom of thought, and independent and impartial judiciary," he said.

A firm opponent of the proposed amendments, Kilicdaroglu urged people to vote No in the April 16 constitutional referendum.

The constitutional changes have been discussed since Erdogan was voted president in August 2014.

The 18-article bill was passed by parliament in January, with 339 votes in favor -- nine more than needed to put the proposal to a referendum. The reforms would hand wide-ranging executive powers to the president and the post of prime minister would be abolished.

The president would also be allowed to retain ties to a political party. Other changes would see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 and the number of deputies rise to 600.

Simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections for a five-year term would be held in November 2019 under the new constitution.