The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey was Accepted

Historical Significance and Background

The constitution of the Republic of Turkey was adopted through a referendum on November 7, 1982 and came into effect on December 14, 1982. This constitution was prepared in the aftermath of the military coup on September 12, 1980.

The 1980s were a challenging period for Turkey politically and socially. The military coup on September 12, 1980 plunged the country into a period of uncertainty and political repression. After the coup, the legal order was completely disrupted, political parties were shut down, and many people were arrested.

The constitution was prepared to put an end to this period of legal uncertainty and to establish Turkey as a democratic order. The constitution text included many articles that determined the fundamental principles of the Republic of Turkey and aimed to ensure the preservation of these principles.

Development of the Event

Preparation of the Constitution

Following the 1980 coup, preparations for the constitution were initiated by the military administration. These preparations were carried out by a constitutional commission established by the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The commission consisted of various experts and academics and adopted an approach that took into account the views of different segments of society.

The constitution draft aimed to establish a legal order based on democratic principles. In particular, issues such as protecting the basic rights and freedoms of individuals, regulating the activities of political parties, and ensuring the independence of the judiciary were given priority.

Referendum and Acceptance

In 1982, the constitution draft was presented to a public referendum. The referendum, held on November 7, 1982, was met with intense participation and interest in different regions of Turkey. The public largely supported the constitution draft.

On December 14, 1982, the constitution came into effect. This date marked the beginning of a new era for the Republic of Turkey. The constitution was considered an important step in the democratization process of the country and became the cornerstone of Turkey's political system.

Consequences and Effects

The acceptance of the constitution brought about significant changes in Turkey's political, social, and legal order. In the short term, issues such as protecting basic rights and freedoms and regulating the activities of political parties were given priority.

In the long term, the constitution accelerated Turkey's democratization process and contributed to the strengthening of democratic institutions. The constitution laid the foundation for institutions established to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the protection of human rights.

The acceptance of the constitution also contributed to Turkey becoming a stronger actor on the international stage. The democratic structure of the country was strengthened with the constitution, enabling Turkey to play a more active role in international relations.

Historical Significance and Reflections to the Present Day

The 1982 constitution of the Republic of Turkey is considered a significant milestone in the country's democratization process. The constitution demonstrates important steps taken in areas such as protecting basic rights and freedoms, regulating the activities of political parties, and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.

Today, the constitution is still the fundamental legal text of Turkey and the most important document shaping the country's political system. The constitution guarantees the functioning of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Turkey.

The lessons learned from the acceptance of the constitution have played an important role in Turkey's democratization process. Turkey took significant steps towards democratization with the constitution and learned from the challenges encountered during this process. These lessons have enabled Turkey to have a stronger democratic structure in the present day.