Turkey's Parliament approved a revamped penal code, a key requirement before Ankara begins European Union entry talks on October 3, but EU diplomats said it did not meet all their concerns on human rights.
| "Nope. Nope. Just won't do. Go back and try again." |
| "Just adopt the Belgian one, it's easier for all of us ..." |
The code, which aims to bring Turkey's criminal justice system into line with its EU-inspired political reforms, had originally been due to take effect on April 1 but was pulled back partly due to complaints it tightened curbs on the media. The new code must be approved by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and is meant to take force on June 1. If Sezer vetoes the code, the earlier version will come into force on that date. A total of 346 deputies in the 550-member chamber approved the penal code and only three voted against. The new penal code, the first major overhaul of the 79-year-old legislation, improves the rights of women and children and brings higher human rights standards. It recognizes rape in marriage and sexual harassment as crimes, and includes tougher measures against rape, pedophilia, human traffickers and torture. |