Former diplomats urge Turkish gov’t against constitutional amendments

ANKARA

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Sixty-two former Turkish diplomats have issued a statement urging the government that Turkey’s qualifications as democratic, secular state based on the rule of law will be lost under proposed constitutional amendments shifting the country to an executive presidential system of governance. 

“We are deeply concerned that such a development will further divide Turkey and will put it into a serious internal and external crisis at a time when the Republic of Turkey is facing terrorism, economic difficulties and the threat of war,” read the statement signed by 62 former diplomats over the weekend. 

Parliament has approved the first round of an 18-article package of constitutional amendments changing Turkey from its current parliamentary system to an executive-presidency, granting extensive extra powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. If approved by over 330 deputies in a final round of voting this week, the package will be submitted to the public in a referendum.

“The Republic of Turkey will lose its qualifications as a democratic, secular and rule of law-based state if this proposal is legislated,” added the statement. 

It also criticized the government for attempting to change the constitution “without obeying fundamental rules of the constitution” and at a moment when public opinion is not well informed about its content due to the ongoing state of emergency.