Broadening Scope Of Freedom

Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that due to a ‘reflexive behavior of protection’ on some issues, more than one law had to be passed. He explained that the government is trying to broaden the scope of freedom of speech and freedom to form organizations. Stressing that Article Eight of the Anti-Terror Law should be abolished, Cicek said some laws would dictate different punishments for the same crime, according to circumstances.

During talks in the Commission yesterday, members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) argued that President’s concerns about Article Eight of the Anti-Terror Law, which prohibits anti-state propaganda, should be considered. CHP Nigde Deputy Orhan Eraslan noted that the CHP would vote to abolish Article Eight; however, he said, an amendment accommodating the President’s concerns should be included.

Cicek admitted that the government has experienced difficulty trying to broaden the scope of freedom of speech and freedom to form organizations. “We are trying to strengthen a value in need of protection with several laws. The laws that will be passed apply to the same crime committed at different times, for different reasons, and in different circumstances. This will result in different punishments for the same crime."