Head of top European human rights watchdog calls for participation in Turkey constitution making

STRASBOURG (A.A) - December 1, 2011 - Chief of Europe's top human rights watchdog has called for widespread participation in the making of a new constitution in Turkey. "The government's move towards making a new constitution is all too important. Aside from all political parties, it is critical that the entire civil society participates extensively in the process of making a new constitution. We expect everyone to make a contribution," Thorbjorn Jagland, Council of Europe secretary general, told the Anadolu Agency.        Jagland said the Council of Europe was ready to extend support to the process by deploying the Venice Commission as well.     The Council head also called for legal arrangements in Turkey to shorten detention periods and to reduce violations on freedom of expression and press, which he said stood as "the major obstacle against democratization of the country."