The quest for a new constitution continues despite the
fact that the hope for its realization is dim. Almost every day public events
are held in various cities, proposals are made and new research is conducted.
All these indicate the determination of the Turkish people to make their own
constitution.
It is widely acknowledged that one of the reasons why Turkey needs a new constitution is to address the Kurdish question. Issues about general rights, citizenship, the language of education and the administrative structure all have a bearing on the Kurdish question.
What about the Kurds? What do they expect from a new constitution? Recent research by the Center for Political and Social Research (SAMER), a Diyarbakır-based think tank, conducted an important survey assessing the expectations of Kurds in east and southeast Turkey.
According to SAMER’s research, 87 percent of the people in the region point to the need for a new constitution. The Kurds surveyed are also of the view that the new constitution should be made through the widest possible participation of individuals, civil society associations, trade unions, political parties, and similar groups. But the concern is expressed about the accessibility of the Constitutional Reconciliation Commission, in charge of drafting the constitution. Fifty-seven percent believe that their views have not been heard by the commission while 33 percent think that their views have been heard by the commission somewhat or to a satisfactory extent.
The top problem of Kurds in the region is cited as the Kurdish question (51 percent), followed by the economy (34 percent). This shows that two problems dominate for Kurds in the East and Southeast: identity and poverty.
On the relationship between the Kurdish question and the new constitution, people were asked: “To what extent would a democratic, civil and pluralistic constitution resolve the Kurdish question?” Responses showed hope is high. People surveyed expect that the new constitution will resolve the question. While 52 percent say the new constitution will resolve the question completely, 23 percent expect it to resolve the problem partially. We will see if these expectations can be met or not by political parties in Ankara.
Kurds of the region expect the new constitution to be based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law (95 percent), and the recognition of plurality in society (93 percent). Apart from desiring that these highly praised values be included in the new constitution, there are some values that the respondents wish to see excluded. For example, only 18 percent want the new constitution to be based on Kemalist nationalism. In short, Kurds of the East and Southeast want a democratic and pluralistic constitution and not a Kemalist one.
When it comes to the status of the Kurds in the new constitution, the respondents’ preferences are as follows: 19 percent favor independence, 41 percent favor democratic autonomy, 12 percent favor the current federal governance and 9 percent favor a decentralized system.
As for the issue of Turkey’s official language, 44 percent favor “Turkish as an official language while all other languages should be freely used,” 19 percent prefer naming Turkish and Kurdish as official languages, with others to be freely used. Similar results appear about the issue of the language of instruction in schools. Only 8 percent approve of the current model. Thirty-five percent think that education should be conducted in the mother tongue and other languages should be elective. There is also major support for education being in Turkish but Kurdish being an elective language in education (35 percent). This shows that Kurdish elective courses will address the demands of one-third of the Kurds.
Concerning ethnic references in the constitution, the Kurds are very clear: They reject the current model based on “Turkishness.” Thirty-three percent prefer no ethnic reference in the constitution while 62 percent want to see Turkish, Kurdish and other ethnicities referred to together. When asked what term should be used instead of “the Turkish nation” in the new constitution, 13 percent respond “citizens of Turkey,” 32 percent say “people of Turkey” and 42 percent favor “all citizens.”
In short, the Kurds have high expectations of the new constitution. Whether they will be met or not will determine the allegiance of these Kurds towards the Republic of Turkey. A final note: As for the demands and expectations of the Kurds, the SAMER research does not find much difference in responses between voters who support the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and those who support the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). I think this is extremely important to take note of for the ruling party.
It is widely acknowledged that one of the reasons why Turkey needs a new constitution is to address the Kurdish question. Issues about general rights, citizenship, the language of education and the administrative structure all have a bearing on the Kurdish question.
What about the Kurds? What do they expect from a new constitution? Recent research by the Center for Political and Social Research (SAMER), a Diyarbakır-based think tank, conducted an important survey assessing the expectations of Kurds in east and southeast Turkey.
According to SAMER’s research, 87 percent of the people in the region point to the need for a new constitution. The Kurds surveyed are also of the view that the new constitution should be made through the widest possible participation of individuals, civil society associations, trade unions, political parties, and similar groups. But the concern is expressed about the accessibility of the Constitutional Reconciliation Commission, in charge of drafting the constitution. Fifty-seven percent believe that their views have not been heard by the commission while 33 percent think that their views have been heard by the commission somewhat or to a satisfactory extent.
The top problem of Kurds in the region is cited as the Kurdish question (51 percent), followed by the economy (34 percent). This shows that two problems dominate for Kurds in the East and Southeast: identity and poverty.
On the relationship between the Kurdish question and the new constitution, people were asked: “To what extent would a democratic, civil and pluralistic constitution resolve the Kurdish question?” Responses showed hope is high. People surveyed expect that the new constitution will resolve the question. While 52 percent say the new constitution will resolve the question completely, 23 percent expect it to resolve the problem partially. We will see if these expectations can be met or not by political parties in Ankara.
Kurds of the region expect the new constitution to be based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law (95 percent), and the recognition of plurality in society (93 percent). Apart from desiring that these highly praised values be included in the new constitution, there are some values that the respondents wish to see excluded. For example, only 18 percent want the new constitution to be based on Kemalist nationalism. In short, Kurds of the East and Southeast want a democratic and pluralistic constitution and not a Kemalist one.
When it comes to the status of the Kurds in the new constitution, the respondents’ preferences are as follows: 19 percent favor independence, 41 percent favor democratic autonomy, 12 percent favor the current federal governance and 9 percent favor a decentralized system.
As for the issue of Turkey’s official language, 44 percent favor “Turkish as an official language while all other languages should be freely used,” 19 percent prefer naming Turkish and Kurdish as official languages, with others to be freely used. Similar results appear about the issue of the language of instruction in schools. Only 8 percent approve of the current model. Thirty-five percent think that education should be conducted in the mother tongue and other languages should be elective. There is also major support for education being in Turkish but Kurdish being an elective language in education (35 percent). This shows that Kurdish elective courses will address the demands of one-third of the Kurds.
Concerning ethnic references in the constitution, the Kurds are very clear: They reject the current model based on “Turkishness.” Thirty-three percent prefer no ethnic reference in the constitution while 62 percent want to see Turkish, Kurdish and other ethnicities referred to together. When asked what term should be used instead of “the Turkish nation” in the new constitution, 13 percent respond “citizens of Turkey,” 32 percent say “people of Turkey” and 42 percent favor “all citizens.”
In short, the Kurds have high expectations of the new constitution. Whether they will be met or not will determine the allegiance of these Kurds towards the Republic of Turkey. A final note: As for the demands and expectations of the Kurds, the SAMER research does not find much difference in responses between voters who support the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and those who support the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). I think this is extremely important to take note of for the ruling party.
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