OSCE media freedom representative proposes changes to new Turkish Penal Code

VIENNA, 11 May 2005 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, praised the Turkish authorities for postponing the adoption of the new Penal Code and expressed hope that 23 worrying provisions in the draft would ultimately be amended.

"This move by the Turkish authorities is both principled and practical," Haraszti wrote in a letter to Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. "I hope that all potential restrictions on the freedom of the press will be fully removed at the end of the revision process."

The Justice Commission of the Turkish Parliament is expected to reconsider the draft before 1 June.

Haraszti also sent a detailed review of the chapters of the draft Code which his Office believes could hinder free discussion of public issues and pose a threat to the freedom of the press.

He outlined 23 provisions in three main areas: freedom of the media and freedom of expression; access to and disclosure of information; and the threat to free discussion of public affairs from defamation and insult provisions.

"Your legislature now has the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a Penal Code that is not only in conformity with international media freedom commitments, but also serves as a model for modern democracies," Haraszti added.