Turkey's ruling party defeats gay-rights constitutional amendment

September 17, 2012

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has rejected a proposal for a constitutional amendment to protect the civil rights of homosexuals.

AKP lawmakers defeated the proposal, advanced by opposition parties, to include “sexual orientation” among the categories qualifying for constitutional protection. An AKP representative explained that the party, headed by President Recept Tayyip Erdogan, does not think it appropriate to include a reference to homosexuals in the nation’s constitution.

 

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Further information:

• Turkey: Erdogan AKP party MPs veto gay rights amendment (ANSAMed)