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Turkey to delay new penal code amid fears over press restrictions
By SUZAN FRASER
.c The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Parliament on Thursday delayed by two months the
implementation of Turkey's new penal code, following criticism from
groups fearing the legislation would threaten press freedoms.
Eager to boost the country's chances of joining the European Union,
Turkish lawmakers hastily reformed Turkey's 79-year-old penal code in
September to increase rights and freedoms. But press groups say other
changes threaten press freedoms and could result in tough prison terms
for journalists. They have been lobbying for the past month to have
the code changed.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to Turkish journalists
in Morocco, said the government would need 45 to 60 days to make the
necessary changes.
``This should be seen as a token of the importance we attach to the
wishes of civil groups,'' Erdogan said at the news conference, which
was broadcast on Turkish television stations.
Shortly after Erdogan spoke, legislators voted to delay until June 1
implementation of the code, which had been scheduled to come into
effect on Friday.
Journalist groups say the legislation contains vague language that
could make it easier to crack down on journalists and provisions that
would make it more difficult for journalists to cover, for example,
legal proceedings.
One article calls for prison sentences for those who disregard the
state's ``fundamental national interests.'' A reasoning attached to
the draft of that article specifies that calling for the withdrawal of
Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or saying that Armenians were subjected
to genocide during World War I should be considered an offense.
Criticizing state symbols would also remain a crime.
``This is the last piece I will be able to write without any fear,''
Meric Koyatasi, a columnist for the Aksam newspaper, wrote Thursday
before the decision to delay implementation was taken. ``We won't be
able to write, express opinions or make our stance clear on many
issues.''
The controversy over the penal code comes as Erdogan, who had made EU
membership a top priority, is under increased criticism for what many
say is his lack of commitment to press freedoms. He has successfully
sued a political cartoonist who made fun of him by drawing him as a
cat entangled in yarn and recently launched a lawsuit against a
satirical weekly that portrayed him as a variety of animals.
Earlier this month, journalists also strongly criticized Erdogan after
he accused the Turkish media of ``tipping off'' the EU about police
violence at a protest where women demonstrators were beaten and
kicked, after the scenes were repeatedly shown on television.
03/31/05 09:06 EST
By SUZAN FRASER
.c The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Parliament on Thursday delayed by two months the
implementation of Turkey's new penal code, following criticism from
groups fearing the legislation would threaten press freedoms.
Eager to boost the country's chances of joining the European Union,
Turkish lawmakers hastily reformed Turkey's 79-year-old penal code in
September to increase rights and freedoms. But press groups say other
changes threaten press freedoms and could result in tough prison terms
for journalists. They have been lobbying for the past month to have
the code changed.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to Turkish journalists
in Morocco, said the government would need 45 to 60 days to make the
necessary changes.
``This should be seen as a token of the importance we attach to the
wishes of civil groups,'' Erdogan said at the news conference, which
was broadcast on Turkish television stations.
Shortly after Erdogan spoke, legislators voted to delay until June 1
implementation of the code, which had been scheduled to come into
effect on Friday.
Journalist groups say the legislation contains vague language that
could make it easier to crack down on journalists and provisions that
would make it more difficult for journalists to cover, for example,
legal proceedings.
One article calls for prison sentences for those who disregard the
state's ``fundamental national interests.'' A reasoning attached to
the draft of that article specifies that calling for the withdrawal of
Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or saying that Armenians were subjected
to genocide during World War I should be considered an offense.
Criticizing state symbols would also remain a crime.
``This is the last piece I will be able to write without any fear,''
Meric Koyatasi, a columnist for the Aksam newspaper, wrote Thursday
before the decision to delay implementation was taken. ``We won't be
able to write, express opinions or make our stance clear on many
issues.''
The controversy over the penal code comes as Erdogan, who had made EU
membership a top priority, is under increased criticism for what many
say is his lack of commitment to press freedoms. He has successfully
sued a political cartoonist who made fun of him by drawing him as a
cat entangled in yarn and recently launched a lawsuit against a
satirical weekly that portrayed him as a variety of animals.
Earlier this month, journalists also strongly criticized Erdogan after
he accused the Turkish media of ``tipping off'' the EU about police
violence at a protest where women demonstrators were beaten and
kicked, after the scenes were repeatedly shown on television.
03/31/05 09:06 EST