Ümit Özdağ files criminal complaint over signs in Diyarbakır: Reminds of Article 3 of the Constitution

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ has filed a criminal complaint with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the preparation of certain street, road, and directional signs in Diyarbakır in both Turkish and Kurdish.

Arriving at the Ankara Courthouse, Özdağ stated that the application was made against the administrators of the Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality as well as the mayors and administrators of the relevant district municipalities.

Making a statement in front of the courthouse, Özdağ pointed to Article 3 of the Constitution and argued that it is mandatory for public services to be conducted in Turkish. Özdağ said, “Article 3 of our Constitution very clearly states that Turkey is an indivisible entity with its country and nation, and that its language is Turkish. It is a necessity for public services to be provided in Turkish.”

REMINDS OF COUNCIL OF STATE RULING

Recalling the decision made by the 8th Chamber of the Council of State regarding the Sur Municipality on May 22, 2007, Özdağ stated that the judiciary should take action regarding the bilingual practice.

Özdağ stated, “While this decision is still in effect, we now see that attempts are being made to bring such signs to the forefront everywhere in Turkey, in Southeastern Anatolia. And we are inviting the judiciary to take action on this matter. That is why we have filed this criminal complaint.”

Responding to a journalist's question regarding his expectations from the judiciary, Özdağ said, “We expect the laws to be enforced. We expect the mandatory provision of the Constitution and the relevant Council of State ruling on this matter to be implemented.”

Describing the current situation as “unlawful,” Özdağ argued that the judiciary must take action for this reason.