Breaking News: New constitution statement from Erdoğan

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the 2024-2025 Judicial Year Opening Ceremony held at the Court of Cassation.

Before the ceremony, Erdoğan met with CHP leader Özgür Özel in the hall. The two shook hands before the ceremony.

Giving a message about a new constitution in his speech, Erdoğan said, "Regarding the new constitution, there is not a healthy debate, but a cacophony stemming from entrenched preconceptions. The biggest obstacle before us on the issue of a new constitution is prejudice." he said.

Erdoğan continued as follows:

"We view the new constitution not just as a dry legal document, but as a collective agreement that includes our rights and responsibilities. The will of our nation will be our sole guide at every step of this process. We are ready to prepare a constitution that will carry our country forward by uniting around our common values. We are sincere and determined on this matter. We hope that other political parties will demonstrate the same intention. We can solve our problems by talking, not by arguing."

Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

May the new judicial year be auspicious for our country, our nation, our judges and prosecutors, our lawyers, and the entire justice organization. I commemorate with mercy all the martyrs of our judicial organization, along with Murat Uzun and Mehmet Selim Kiraz, who were treacherously martyred by terrorists while serving for the manifestation of justice.

In the coming period, all our judicial bodies will be able to focus more comfortably on meeting our nation's demand for justice. We will continue to fulfill the duties and powers granted to the Presidency by our Constitution to the letter.

"JUSTICE IS INDISPENSABLE"

Justice is indispensable for the internal peace of society.

There are indispensable concepts for the peace, internal harmony, prosperity, and security of society. Justice is at the very top of these. The expression 'Justice is the foundation of property' is a symbol that the state stands on justice.

The fundamental pillar, the reason for existence, and the source of legitimacy of the state is justice. We also need to make this subtle distinction regarding justice: Law, jurisprudence, and justice do not mean the same thing. Justice is not just a concept, it is a cause, a lofty ideal.

We have taken historic steps in every field to ensure that our justice system is effective, reliable, impartial, and independent. We have carried out very important work to make our legal and judicial system serve humanity, from target-setting and increasing the number of judges and prosecutors to providing new service buildings, increasing the number of courts, and implementing alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.

We have reduced the workload of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State. We have reviewed legislative provisions that were outdated and did not meet current needs, and we have renewed many laws. Every effort that will increase trust in justice in society is important. Modern courthouses are important. Benefiting from technological innovations is important. Increasing the number of courts contributes to the manifestation of justice. None of these were a guarantee of justice.

"WE ARE TAKING NEW STEPS"

Establishing a system that centers on the human being and operates quickly and effectively is the most important goal of our justice policy. Society is rapidly changing and transforming under the influence of new technologies. Demands and requests are diversifying. Expectations from the judiciary are increasing. We are taking new steps to eliminate the difficulties our citizens face in their search for justice.

The first of these is the Entrance Exam for Legal Professions. With this exam, we aim to increase the professional qualifications of those who will become lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and notaries. The first exam is on September 29.

The Judge and Prosecutor Assistantship Institution is another. We are implementing a 3-year model. In the system, where one year will be spent at the Justice Academy and 2 years will be spent in a master-apprentice relationship, our judges and prosecutors will be trained to be much more equipped and experienced.

"WE WILL SHARE WITH OUR NATION"

We have determined the judicial vision of the Century of Turkey as a justice system that is based on the rule of law, does not delay, inspires confidence, and is predictable.

We will share our Century of Turkey judicial reform document, which covers the years 2024-2028, with our nation in the coming period.

Reasonable duration, predictable and solution-oriented justice will be our priority.

NEW CONSTITUTION EFFORTS

Regarding the new constitution, there is not a healthy debate, but a cacophony stemming from entrenched preconceptions. The biggest obstacle before the new constitution is prejudice. We will prepare a constitution that will carry our country into the future without any discrimination. As a party, the People's Alliance, and the executive branch, we are sincere and determined on this matter.

We must get rid of the coup constitution. Turkey is ready for a new constitution.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

Court decisions are binding for everyone; being a state of law requires this, but decisions can be criticized.

Social media has become the center of organized evil. Almost every day, a person is targeted on social media. Everyone needs to see that the politics of hatred and conflict, which have been fueled recently, do not benefit our democracy or our nation, and they need to produce politics accordingly. Shaking the trust in justice, the judiciary, and the courts in society is the greatest evil that can be done to our country.

We saw the true face of those who used the judiciary as a tool of domination first on December 17-25 and then on July 15.