This week’s political agenda. Will there be referendum on Sept 12 or not

Constitutional Court will again decide…as CHP, main opposition party, again applied the Court for the rejection of reforms… ****************** Is CHP burying the hatchet with Gülen movement? Today’s Zaman Baykal and his party, joining with the opponents of Ergenekon, a shadowy crime network that has alleged links within the state and is suspected of plotting … Read more

A major blow to 12 September coup constitution…

but of course there are many who oppose the constitutional changes just because they are made by AKP. we will see more drama in near future but for the moment let me hail a more democratic constitution…

Lawmakers of the ruling Justice and  Development ...

Lawmakers of the ruling Justice and Development Party celebrate after the official results were announced at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, early Friday, May 7, 2010. Turkey’s parliament has narrowly passed a series of fiercely contested constitutional amendments that the opposition parties argue they will give the Islamic-rooted government too much power over the judiciary. The president is now widely expected to submit the measures to a referendum this summer since the 336 votes in favor of the amendments on Friday were short of the 367 required votes in the 550-seat assembly to adopt the proposals outright.? Read more » (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

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Final round in the Constitutional changes begins

Turkey faces constitutional reform showdown

from Yahoo news
Turkey’s parliament on Sunday begins the final round of voting on constitutional changes that strike at the heart of the secular elite with plans to reform the judiciary and make the army accountable to civilian courts.

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Human Rights roundup in Turkey.

Turkeys Energy Minister Yildiz arrives at ...

Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz arrives at a hospital in Ankara for a medical check after he was punched in the face April 19, 2010. Yildiz was punched in the face in Kayseri, during a funeral for a Turkish officer killed in clashes with Kurdish PKK rebels in a military operation in southeast Turkey.? Read more » REUTERS

Parliamentary Investigation into Murder of Journalist Dink?

from Bianet :: English
The Justice and Development Party submitted the proposal for a parliamentary investigation into the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink three years ago. Should the proposal be approved, the parliament would have to find the abetters for the murder.

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Roundup: Heated constitutional debates continue

as far as I could observe, AKP’s proposals are all accepted due to its majority in the parliament and sometimes with little help from fro-Kurdish BDP.

Concensus in Turkey

from Mavi Boncuk by M.A.M

Turkey’s parliament began debating Monday a series of amendments to the Constitution that are fiercely contested by opposition parties who say the Islamic-oriented government’s proposals are aimed at diluting the powers of secular opponents within the judiciary ? a legacy of the 1980 military coup. The 29 draft amendments would make disbanding political parties more difficult, open the way for the trial of military commanders by civilian courts and give parliament a say in the appointment of senior judges.

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Erdoğan distracts the political agenda while Constitutional reform debates take place in the Parliament

Turkeys Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan casts  ...

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan casts his vote during a debate at parliament in Ankara April 19, 2010. The parliament in Turkey began debating changes to the constitution on Monday.? Read more » REUTERS/Umit Bektas

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Constitutional Reform drama begins on Monday

both parties are getting ready to play their roles…

AKP cancels travel plans, prepares for heated constitutional debates

from Hurriyet Dailynews
Ministers and senior officials from the ruling party have canceled programs outside Ankara to be present during what are sure to be heated debates over constitutional amendments.

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“Maureen Freely interview on Ataturk, Kurdish human rights, Orhan Pamuk, and the Armenian genocide

Maureen Freely interview on Ataturk, Kurdish human rights, Orhan Pamuk, and the Armenian genocide » The Comment Factory

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Now confirmed: Soldiers Killed in May 2009 by Mine from the Army…

http://www.javno.com/slike/slike_3/r1/g2009/m05/y204303206171443.jpg

Confirmed: Soldiers Killed by Mine from the Army

from Bianet :: English
A gendarmerie laboratory confirmed that the mine that killed seven soldiers in South-East-Turkey in May 2009 belonged to the army. The prosecution file of the case launched by the victims’ families was transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office of the General Staff.

AYŞE KARABAT – Mine blasts in our hearts

It is so painful searching newspaper archives to find stories from May 28 and 29 of last year.

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Tense constitutional amendements process and new arrests at Ergenekon (or no arrests?)



found at Joe Greer

New arrests in Turkish coup probe

from BBC News | Europe | World Edition
More than a dozen ex-officers are held over an alleged coup plot in Turkey, but the operation is suspended.

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From Tayyip Erdoğan’s photo album…

I haven’t realized before that PM Erdoğan has a personal website. Hürriyet has a selection of his photos gotten from that website. I have chosen two here. And in the mean time, a particular judge released many of Ergenekon gang suspects, the same judge who had released other suspects before and and more on the constitutional reform move…

Erdoğan'ın albümünden kendi seçtiği fotoğrafları
When he was a football player…

Erdoğan'ın albümünden kendi seçtiği fotoğrafları
Three amigoes:)

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Dink’s murderer’s interrogation video released


Watch the video here. So humane treatment for him..

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Constitutional reform package sent to parliament…

http://friendfeed-media.com/61d1ba3bad70e0495426c5da816144401d179df2

The Young Civilians make fun of CHP: First Traditional Folder-Carrying Footrace to the Constitutional Court
Turk government sends reform package to parliament | World | Reuters

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How many bodyguard in this photo?

http://im.haberturk.com/2010/03/26/503445_detay.jpg

After being informed of a possible assassination, PM Erdoğan was protected by an army of bodyguards during Last Friday’s prayer…

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TESEV: Impartial judiciary, most media go hand in hand

full text of TESEV’s report in Turkish can be found here.

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