Turkey to write first fully civilian constitution

A parliamentary committee in Turkey was due to start work in the spring of 2012 on the country's first fully civilian constitution.

The aim was to draft a simpler and more democratic charter to replace the existing constitution, which was drawn up under military rule 30 years ago.

It gave great powers to the military, curbed individual rights and largely ignored the country's minorities, including the Kurds.

The new draft was expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

• Primary Source

Wikipedia: Constitution of Turkey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Turkey

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