Handicapped groups press for equality in new charter

ANKARA-Hürriyet Daily News

The Confederation of Handicapped People has called for the amendment of a constitutional article listing disabled citizens as “a group requiring protection” in a presentation at Parliament’s constitution-making panel.

Speaking on behalf of the Confederation, Turhan İçli told the Constitution Conciliation Commission that the clause defining the duties of the state should be also changed to also include “fighting discrimination,” in order to ensure full equality.

“Handicapped people make up the part of society that have been discriminated against for the longest time,” he said. The new constitution must also encourage handicapped people to actively participate in politics, while making it easier for them to vote in elections, he added.

In a separate presentation to the panel, the Headmen Association of Turkey requested more powers and responsibilities in local affairs, such as a legal authority to intervene in blood feuds, encourage the education of girls and monitor illegal construction. Headmen should also be given allowances for their expenses, and granted discounts on their electricity, internet and transportation bills, the presentation said.