CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Human Rights Watch (HRW) accessed the constitutional amendments that will be voted on April 16 in terms of human rights, rule of law, independence of judiciary, separation of powers, checks and balances, international law and parliament's role.

Turkish citizens living in Europe have started casting ballots for the referendum that will be held in Turkey on April 16. Ballot boxes are set up in 57 countries and at border gates.

We talked to Assoc. Prof. Murat Sevinç, a faculty member of Ankara University School of Social Sciences, about the content of the proposed constitutional amendments and their outcomes.

The proposed constitutional amendments, which will transfer the executive power to the present, continue to be voted. First and second articles in the package are accepted yesterday. General Assembly will convene at 2 pm today.

On Monday, proposal for discussing the constitutional amendments in the parliament was passed with 338 votes in favor and 134 against.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke at AKP group meeting. He stated that the parliament will discuss 3-month extension to the state of emergency this week. The state of emergency, which was declared after the coup attempt on July 15, had been extended for 3 months.

HDP Istanbul MP Garo Paylan assessed the voting that clears the way for lifting the parliamentary immunity. Saying that he considers CHP's attitude as “falling prey to AKP”, Paylan said: “In order to defend our supporters' will, we won't go to the courts which this oppressive law commands us to go.”

Turkish parliament approved the immunity bill by 374 votes in favor. The bill will become effective after President Erdoğan's approval.

AKP-initiated constitutional amendment for changing the Article 83 on the immunity of MPs is supported by 348 lawmakers in the 550-seat Turkish parliament. Second round of voting will be held on Friday.