Parliament Passes Headscarf Changes in First Round

The bill put forward by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) suggesting constitutional change in order to allow women wearing headscarves to attend university was passed in the first round yesterday (6 February).

13-hour debate

After a debate lasting for over thirteen hours, amendments to Articles 10 and 42 were passed with between 397 and 404 votes.

The second round of votes will be on Saturday (9 February), starting at 11 am.

 The votes on constitutional amendment in general were 113 against and 397 for. The first part of the bill was passed with 401 for and 110 against, the second part with 404 for and 99 against, and the third part with 404 for and 92 against. At each stage of the proposal, opposition MPs used their right to make suggestions and speak.

Equality and right to education

The amended Article 10, which deals with equality before the law, reads as follows: “State organs and administrative posts have to abide by the rule of equality before the law in all public procedures and public services.”

Article 42, which relates to the right to education, has been amended thus: “Nobody can be deprived of exercising their right to higher education for a reason not specified in the law. Restrictions that apply to this right are to be stated by law.” (GG/TK/AG)

* This news item has used information from NTV and from Today’s Zaman.