ANKARA (A.A) - 24.04.2002 - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that he thought capital punishment should be lifted. Sezer said there was not any need to put rules to the Constitution to lift capital punishment.
Sezer, who attended a reception hosted by Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, responded to the questions of reporters.
When asked about the discussions pertaining to education in mother tongue, Sezer said the constitution was an obstacle in education in mother tongue. ''Education in mother tongue is impossible without an amendment in the constitution.''
Responding to a question about lifting of death penalty, Sezer said, ''I think it should be lifted,'' and pointed out that there was no need to put rules to the Constitution to lift capital punishment.
When asked about his views regarding harsh criticisms toward the parliament, Sezer said the most important organs were the Parliaments in some parliamentary democracies, noting that there was not an organ above it. ''Parliaments can be criticized, but I don't find any attack to it as right.''
President Sezer said the arrangements in line with Copenhagen criteria should be done whether or not Turkey enters the EU. Sezer said membership to the EU can be thought by considering Turkey's national interests after those arrangements were made.