By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish parliament approved on Saturday two constitutional amendments aiming to lift headscarf ban at universities.
The parliament approved the first of the two constitutional amendments on article 10 of the Constitution by 403 against 107 votes.
The parliament approved the second of the two constitutional amendments by 403 against 108 votes in the second round of voting.
The amendment will insert a new paragraph to article 42 of the Constitution stating no one can be deprived of his or her right to higher education.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a conservative Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) that supports the changes has the required two-thirds majority.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) does not have enough seats to stop the measure but said it would appeal to the Constitutional Court to try to cancel it.
The government said Friday that it was seeking suggestions on permissible styles for female students. In the next stage, the government plans to change laws governing higher education to specify what type of head covering will be allowed to ensure that students do not attend classes in full-length chadors or burqas.
Erdogan’ AKP and the MHP have agreed that scarves should be tied loosely with a knot beneath the chin, leaving the face exposed.
Meanwhile, a demonstration organized by 76 NGOs was held at Sihhiye Square in capital Ankara in order to protest constitutional amendment to lift headscarf ban at universities, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
People from several provinces of Turkey especially from Istanbul and Izmir are attending the rally, according to the report.
They chanted slogans “Turkey is secular and will remain secular forever” in the demonstration.