MAÜ Hosted the Sixth of the Constitutional Workshops Series

The "Constitutional Workshops: 6 – Executive Provisions Workshop", held within the scope of the "150-Year Memory of National Sovereignty: 150th Anniversary of the Parliament and Constitution Project" conducted under the auspices of Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (TBMM), was hosted by Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi. As the sixth stop of the workshop series held in different regions of Turkey, views and recommendations that will contribute to new civil constitution works were evaluated in Mardin. The workshop was held at the university's Merkezi Kampüs Senato Toplantı Salonu and brought together a wide range of participants. Participants included academics, lawyers, civil society representatives, and religious leaders. This workshop stands out as part of a series of events aiming to make the voices of different segments of society heard in the constitution-making process.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Project General Coordinator Av. Ahmet Akcan stated that their goal was not only to listen to the views of lawyers and political scientists but also to directly hear the expectations of different segments of society regarding the constitution. Akcan noted that the gathered views would provide significant contributions to future civil constitution works, expressing that the constitution must be a text reflecting the common will of society. Additionally, he emphasized that such workshops increase democratic participation and lend legitimacy to the constitution-making process. Akcan added that the project would continue across Turkey, aiming to reflect the unique dynamics of each region into the constitution. This approach reinforces the understanding that a constitution is not merely a legal text, but also a social contract.

Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özcoşar pointed out that one of the most important deficiencies in Turkey's constitutional history has been social consensus, drawing attention to the importance of preparing the new constitution with an approach that is pluralistic, inclusive of all segments of society, and does not exclude differences. Özcoşar expressed that gathering the contributions of every segment of society in the constitution-making process would help form a strong social consensus. Furthermore, he stated that a multicultural city like Mardin hosting such a workshop carries symbolic meaning. The Rector said that universities play an important role in producing solutions to social problems and that such events bring academic knowledge together with society. Özcoşar's speech attracted great interest from the participants and raised hopes that the workshop would be productive.

Other prominent figures attending the workshop included TBMM Başkan Danışmanı Hafsa Nur Engeloğlu, Constitutional Law Scholar Prof. Dr. Ayhan Döner, and İbn Haldun Üniversitesi Faculty Member Dr. Gülnihal Ahter Yakacak. Additionally, administrative court presidents, academics, representatives of non-governmental organizations, opinion leaders, and Mardin Süryani Cemaati Baş Metropoliti Saliba Özmen attended the workshop to share their views. This wide participation shows how inclusively the constitutional works are being conducted. In particular, the inclusion of religious minority representatives in the process is considered a sign that a pluralistic understanding of the constitution is adopted. Participants held detailed discussions on issues such as the limits of executive powers, the separation of powers, and checks and balances mechanisms.

In conclusion, this workshop held at Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi went down in history as an important step in Turkey's search for a civil constitution. Different segments of society coming together to voice their expectations regarding the constitution contributes to strengthening the democratic process. The views and recommendations emerging from the workshop are expected to be reflected in the constitution text to be prepared in the future. Such events reinforce the idea that the constitution should be shaped not only by lawyers but through the joint efforts of the entire society. While Mardin's multicultural structure added a distinct depth to the inclusivity of the workshop, the different perspectives of participants coming from all corners of Turkey enriched the constitutional works.