Şeref Malkoç: “Türkiye needs a new and civilian constitution”

A program titled “Constitutional debates in the Türkiye Century” was organized through the cooperation of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Ali Fuad Başgil Faculty of Law and the Strategy and Policy Studies Society, with former Chief Ombudsman and former Trabzon Member of Parliament Şeref Malkoç participating as the keynote speaker.

Held at the Distance Education Center (UZEM) Conference Hall, the event was attended by Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, İlkadım Mayor İhsan Kurnaz, Samsun International Students Association President Hakan Karaduman, Turkish National Student Association Provincial President Halil İbrahim Çelebi, deans, academics, and many students.

“Constitution-making processes should be carried out through social consensus”

In his address, Şeref Malkoç evaluated constitutional debates within the framework of the Türkiye Century vision, drawing attention to the importance of the constitutional system in terms of democratic governance, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the principle of the rule of law. Emphasizing that constitution-making processes should be conducted on the basis of social consensus, Malkoç also shared assessments regarding Türkiye’s constitutional history.

“Türkiye needs a new and civilian constitution”

Stating that Türkiye needs a new and civilian constitution, Malkoç said:

“Hopefully, during the time when you take on responsibilities as academics at universities, teachers in schools, engineers in industry, managers in the business world, and actors in politics, a constitution worthy of Türkiye will be drafted. Over the past 20 years, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has achieved significant gains in many areas ranging from education and healthcare to infrastructure and the defense industry. At a time when global balances are rapidly changing and geopolitical risks in our region are increasing, a strong, independent, and solid legal order is of great importance. Lasting peace and stability are only possible with a constitution that responds to the needs of the nation and is compatible with the requirements of the age.”

Law Academy lasted three days

As part of the three-day program organized by the OMU Strategy and Policy Studies Society under the title “Law Academy,” on the first day Constitutional Court Member and former Deputy Minister of Justice Selahattin Menteş delivered a presentation titled “The individual application process to the Constitutional Court and the judicial profession,” offering evaluations on the functioning of the individual application mechanism and its place in judicial practice.

On the second day of the program, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç addressed the audience with his talk titled “The role of the prosecution in Turkish law and the judicial process,” discussing the duties, authorities, and responsibilities of the prosecution institution in criminal proceedings.

The program, which attracted strong interest from students and participants, concluded with a question-and-answer session followed by a commemorative photo shoot.