No Constituon Without Us Özgür Mehmet Kütküt STGM Communication Coordinator 6 November 2014, Skopje Regional Conference: CSOs and Good Practices in the Use of Communication Channels

The Association of Civil Society Development Centre (STGM) founded in 2004 by a group of civil activists who are working to strengthen civil society and participatory democracy in Turkey; vision: “a strong and democratic civil society”;

Activities and support mechanisms Dialogue activities - campaigns - Civil Voices Festival -seminar and network meeting supports Technical Assistance -small-scale campaign support - legal line support - office facilities (STGM library) --helpdesk (CSO establishment &management) -) Capacity Building - General capacity building trainings - tailor made trainings -institutional coaching -study visits Grant Schemes - general coordination and technical implementation of small and micro scale grant schemes for grassroots CSOs - helpdesk function for grant beneficiaries - M&E of grant projects Communication -STGM website; -- announcements - CSO database - e-library - publications & documentaries - Sivilİz Bulletin - Civil Diary

12 September 1980  On 12 September, the National Security Council(MGK), headed by General Kenan Evren declared coup d'état on the national channel.  The MGK then extended martial law throughout the country, abolished the Parliament and the government, suspended the Constitution and banned all political parties and trade unions.

 650,000 people were under arrest.  1,683,000 people were blacklisted.  230,000 people were judged in 210,000 lawsuits.  7,000 people were asked for the death penalty.  517 persons were sentenced to death.  The files of 259 people, which had been asked for the death penalty, were sent to the National Assembly.  50 of those given the death penalty were executed.  71,000 people were judged on account of the articles 141, 142 and 163 in Turkish Penal Code.  98,404 people were judged on charges of being members of a leftist, a rightist, a nationalist, a conservative, etc. organization.  388,000 people were not given a passport.  30,000 people were dismissed from their firms because they were suspects and therefore inconvenient.  14,000 people were removed from citizenship.  30,000 people went abroad as a political refugee.  300 people died in a suspicious manner.  Documented that 171 people died by reason of torture.  937 films were banned because these were found objectionable.  23,677 associations had their activities stopped.  3,854 teachers, 120 lecturers and 47 judges were dismissed.  31 journalists went to jail.  300 journalists were attacked.  300 days in which newspapers were not published.  303 cases were opened for 13 major newspapers.  39 tons of newspapers and magazines were destroyed.  299 people lost their lives in prison.  144 people died in a suspicious manner.  14 people died in a hunger strike.  While fleeing, 16 people were shot.  95 people were killed in combat.  “Natural death report” for 73 persons was given.  The cause of death of 43 people was announced as “suicide”.

Constitution  Within three years the generals passed some 800 laws in order to form a militarily disciplined society.  The coup members were convinced of the unworkability of the existing constitution. They decided to adopt a new constitution that included mechanisms to prevent what they saw as impeding the functioning of democracy.  The new constitution brought clear limits and definitions, such as on the rules of election of the president, which was stated as a factor for the coup d'état.  On 7 November 1982 the new constitution was put to a referendum, which was accepted with 92% of the vote. On 9 November 1982 Kenan Evren was appointed President for the next seven years.

After 1982  Some attempts and changes have been made on constitution after  Especially during European Union membership process changes goes on and democratic constitution seems one of the important subjects between EU and Turkish government.  Major political parties agrees Turkey needs a civil, democratic new constitution.

Constituon referandum on 12 September 2010  The results showed the majority supported the constitutional amendments, with 58% in favour and 42% against.  Hüseyin Çelik, the deputy chairman of the AK Party, said the party's agenda would now be to work on a new constitution after the 2011 elections.  June 2011 New Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek says his priority is the new constitution and established Constitution Conciliation Commission.

Not Without Us Platform  STGM started to work on new constituon process January  6 meetings held different cities in Turkey with CSO representatives.  4 July 2011 No Constituon Without Us Platform established with 50 CSO’s.  On November 2011 platform decided to make a campaign: No Constituon Without Us!

Özgür Mehmet Kütküt STGM Communication Coordinator 6 November 2014, Skopje Thank You…