Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 1:46:08 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Turkey Eases Controversial 'Insult' Statute

Posted Apr 30, 08 8:06 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – The Turkish parliament has approved changes to a notorious law that makes it a crime to "insult Turkishness," reports the Financial Times. Ankara legislators today amended the notorious Article 301, reducing the maximum sentence and requiring the justice minister to approve all prosecutions. But while nationalists are outraged, civil rights lawyers call the changes cosmetic at best.

The European Union, of which Turkey hopes to become a member, has been a strident critic of the law. Article 301 has been used to prosecute major figures, such as the Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, for discussing the Armenian genocide during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The amendments also change the crime in question from "insulting Turkishness" to "insulting the Turkish nation."

Source Financial Times (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • 16 Arrested in Plot to Kill Turkish Laureate

    Mar 21, 08 10:47 AM CDT
    16 Arrested in Plot to Kill Turkish Laureate A nationalist party leader, a veteran journalist, and a top academic have been arrested over a plan to kill dissident Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk. The leader of the Workers’ Party and former rector of Istanbul University, along with a general, and retired colonel, are among 16 who were detained over plans to kill the Nobel laureate and several senior Kurdish figures. More »

  • Prof Guilty of Insulting Turkish Founder

    Jan 28, 08 10:31 AM CST
    Prof Guilty of Insulting Turkish Founder A Turkish court today handed a political science professor a 15-month suspended sentence for insulting the country's founder. Attila Yayla had suggested that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was not as progressive as official portrayals indicate. The conviction heightens scrutiny of the country's commitment to freedom of expression as it pursues EU membership, reports the BBC. More »

  • Publisher Faces Prison for Book on Armenians

    Dec 5, 07 11:03 AM CST
    Publisher Faces Prison for Book on Armenians A Turkish publisher goes on trial today in Istanbul for violating that country's controversial law against "insulting Turkishness." Ragip Zarakolu is accused of contravening the notorious Article 301 by publishing a book by a London-based author promoting reconciliation between Turks and Armenians. The trial of a relatively moderate publisher is further damaging Turkey's hopes of being invited to join the EU. More »

  • Turkey Listens to EU, Will Ease Up on Free Speech

    Nov 6, 07 7:07 PM CST
    Turkey Listens to EU, Will Ease Up on Free Speech Readying itself for possible EU membership, Turkey's government will soften a law that curbs free speech, the AP reports. An amendment expected to pass parliament will limit penalties for Article 301, which punishes "insulting Turkey or Turkish identity" with up to three years in prison. The announcement came hours after the EU annual report again criticized the law. More »

  • Pelosi Vows to Push Turkish Genocide Vote

    Oct 14, 07 6:13 PM CDT
    Pelosi Vows to Push Turkish Genocide Vote Nancy Pelosi vows to take the Turkey-genocide vote to the floor despite renewed Turkish threats and Republican jabs, the New York Times reports. Turkey’s army chief warned today that “military relations with the United States can never be the same" if the vote passes. GOP lawmaker John Boehner called it “the most irresponsible thing I've seen Congress do this year," AFP reports. More »

Two lawmakers argue at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, April 18, 2008. Parliament's justice panel has softened Article 301 of Turkey's penal code, which has been used to prosecute Nobel laureate...   (AP Photo)
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses the lawmakers of his ruling party at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, April 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Orhan Pamuk, who was prosecuted under Turkey's Article 301 for speaking about the Armenian genocide.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
University students wave Turkish flags in front of the Istanbul University. Turkey has relaxed Article 301, which criminalized "insulting Turkishness."   (AP Photo/Murad sezer)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

Turkey • free speech • Ankara • Orhan Pamuk • Article 301


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »