Human-oriented Social Policies of Priority in CHP Manifesto for 2011 Election

Main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has promised a new Constitution accompanied by concrete human-oriented social and economic policies that will embrace the rights of all segments of society, including Kurdish and Alevi community, in his election manifesto announced Friday.

The Republican People’s Party, or CHP’s, election manifesto anticipates a number of reforms with regard to the Constitution, press freedom, the election threshold, agriculture, economy, judiciary, craftsmen, retired people, people with disabilities, family insurance, youth, children, university, military service, working people, foreign policy and a new program for 20 of Turkey’s provinces.

Using the word “Alevi” for the first time in his election campaign, Kılıçdaroğlu’s promises for Kurdish people and Alevis, Turkey’s southeastern and eastern regions and NGOs also stood as significant projects.

“The CHP is a party that realized significant transformations. We will now bring democracy and freedom to the country,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, speaking at a meeting promoting his party’s election manifesto Friday.

“We will touch every field of life; we have projects related to every sphere of life … Politics exists for human being,” he said.

If elected, the party will give its priority for a new Constitution, which will be prepared with contribution from all segments, the CHP chief said. The new charter would anticipate control over the military by civilian authority, a strengthened parliamentary system and separation of powers, while seeking equality.

Kurdish issue, Alevi problems

In a bid to solve Turkey’s long-standing Kurdish question, Kılıçdaroğlu said the CHP would eliminate problems for Kurds who want to express their cultural identity and investigate unsolved killings in the region through establishing commissions. The 10 percent election threshold would be lowered to a maximum 5 percent to provide equal representation in Parliament; education in native language would be possible; Diyarbakır prison would be converted into museum; Dersim documents would be brought to light.

“The 10 percent election threshold is a robbery of the public’s will. The public’s will should all be reflected into Parliament,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Local administration reform calling for broad rights for local administrations would be realized by abolishing Turkey’s reservations on the Council of Europe Charter of Local Self-Government.

Landmines in the region would be cleared and distributed to poor villagers via a comprehensive land reform; names who recall bad memories related to counter-terror activities would be removed from institutions.

The CHP chief also promised factory for the east and southeast to achieve economic development and reduce unemployment with a target of 9.5 percent growth rate in the region in an effort to end Kurdish problem.

Alevis’ demands for equal citizenship would be realized, according to CHP chief.

Press freedom, family insurance

The relations between media, commerce and politics would be reorganized, he said. Monopolization in media and arbitrary punitive implementations against media would be stopped.

Reiterating his party’s “family insurance” project, stipulates at least 600 liras of monthly state aid to poor families, Kılıçdaroğlu said the project aimed at ending poverty and strengthening woman as the amount would be transferred to woman’s bank account in the family.

“Everybody would know that social security is a constitutional right,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Judiciary, immunities

The CHP chief also promised a comprehensive legal reform with regard to judiciary and politics. The High Criminal Courts with special authority, which run today Turkey’s controversial cases such as Ergenekon and Balyoz, would be abolished and Judges Council would be set up instead of the Supreme Board of Judges and prosecutors, or HSYK. Justice Minister and Undersecretary’s presence would end in the council.

Parliamentary immunities for deputies would be abolished and a new Political Morality Law, which will make the financing of politics transparent, would immediately be issued within the four months after being elected.

Youth and NGOs

Putting a special emphasis on projects on youth, the CHP suggested a reduction in the period of military service from 15 months to nine months and then to six months, step by step, also enabling male university students to fulfill their mandatory military duty during summer vacations. A one-time paid military service exemption, eliminating tuition for university education and the lengthening of the mandatory education period to 12 years also remain among the promises.

Kılıçdaroğlu likewise vowed to abolish the Higher Education Board, or YÖK, and restructure the Student Selection and Placement Center, or ÖSYM,which recently came under fire over a cheating scandal surrounding a national exam. Universities would be autonomous.

“The mentality in the ÖSYM will change. I don’t understand how they [the government] find such chairman, who was himself involved in cheating scandal, to the institution,” CHP chief said, referring to ÖSYM chief Ali Demir.

Kılıçdaroğlu also promised to strengthen the NGOs regardless of their ideological views and hold referendum to see the public will on the establishment of a possible nuclear plant.

20 provinces to be center of attraction

The CHP plans to make 20 provinces a center of attraction. The Adana and Mersin region would be a trade center, while making the Kars-Ardahan-Iğdır area a logistical base between China and Europe. İzmir would be a health tourism destination like Thailand, Samsun would be a brand city in the field of naval construction like Shanghai.

A stock market for hazelnuts would be established in the Trabzon-Ordu-Giresun region, while the Diyarbakır-Mardin-Adıyaman and Urfa regions would be a center for culture and faith.

Ankara’s status would be strengthened and Istanbul will be join Europe’s three leading metropolitan areas along with London and Paris.

April 22, 2011
SOURCE: Hürriyet Daily News