Turkey |
|
|
|
|
|
Turkey to change free speech law
|
| 1. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 04:45 am |
|
I read that there is a proposal to change Turkey's very strict law against "insulting Turkishness". It seems there will be a great deal of resistance to this by Nationalists. Article is also in TDN.
-----------------------------------------------------
Turkey is expected to amend a heavily criticised law which makes "insulting Turkishness" illegal, in order to improve its chances of entering the EU.
Mehmet Ali Sahin, the country's justice minister, said on Monday: "The work [on the draft] has been finalised. I believe the proposal could be submitted to parliament this week."
The EU has put pressure on Turkey to change the law, article 301 in the penal code, that is criticised as a threat to freedom of speech in Turkey.
The law is seen as a major stumbling block to Turkey's accession to the EU.
Turkey's centre-right government has said it will change article 301, but critics say that this has not materalised for fear of a nationalist backlash.
Breaking the law can mean a sentence of up to four years in jail.
Change of wording
Sahin refused to comment on the nature of the changes to the law before they were discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday.
Source: Aljazeera
|
|
| 2. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:03 pm |
|
really good topic for talk about dear Rose and i think everybody have to be respectfull their nation and country when they critising mistakes and wrongs
|
|
| 3. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:08 pm |
|
evet!
|
|
| 4. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:09 pm |
|
Quoting MrX67: really good topic for talk about dear Rose and i think everybody have to be respectfull their nation and country when they critising mistakes and wrongs |
Good Afternoon MrX67. I agree about being respectful - but what is your interpretation of being "respectful" ?
I would be interested to know some examples from you that you think are a) respectful comments and b) comments which should be banned.
Looking for feedback from you and anybody.
This is a very interesting topic !
|
|
| 5. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:30 pm |
|
Exactly Cacik! That's the whole issue - "criticize but don't insult [Turkishness]" in a country where criticizing Ataturk is prohibited, speaking in favor of Armenian genocide is prohibited, and where the gov't tells people that "everybody is against the Turks, you gotta defend your country", "you're honored to be a Turk"... etc. The meaning of criticism is completely different for Turks then it is in the west and it will be very hard to achieve real freedom of speech if they don't learn to deal with being offended.
|
|
| 6. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:31 pm |
|
Quoting Cacık: Quoting MrX67: really good topic for talk about dear Rose and i think everybody have to be respectfull their nation and country when they critising mistakes and wrongs |
Good Afternoon MrX67. I agree about being respectful - but what is your interpretation of being "respectful" ?
I would be interested to know some examples from you that you think are a) respectful comments and b) comments which should be banned.
Looking for feedback from you and anybody.
This is a very interesting topic ! |
|
|
| 7. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:34 pm |
|
Quoting MrX67: i'm against to all sort racisms and strong nationalisms,but if everybody has an unlimited speech freedom is it possible to set structure?for critism yesssssss till to end |
+1
Quoting MrX67: but for insulting never... |
What if someone feels insulted by valid criticism? 
|
|
| 8. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:39 pm |
|
Why shouldn’t people be allowed to criticize their government? What harm is it for people to speak out if they have disagreements with their leaders? Strong governments and strong leaders should be able to withstand any criticism and let their actions stand as their defense.
|
|
| 9. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:40 pm |
|
Quoting catwoman: Quoting MrX67: i'm against to all sort racisms and strong nationalisms,but if everybody has an unlimited speech freedom is it possible to set structure?for critism yesssssss till to end |
+1
Quoting MrX67: but for insulting never... |
What if someone feels insulted by valid criticism? |
Good point Cat.
|
|
| 10. |
08 Jan 2008 Tue 05:41 pm |
|
Quoting girleegirl: Why shouldn’t people be allowed to criticize their government? What harm is it for people to speak out if they have disagreements with their leaders? Strong governments and strong leaders should be able to withstand any criticism and let their actions stand as their defense. |
|
|
|
