A conflict has arisen between Turkey and the European Union, months before European government leaders decide whether or not to open membership talks with Turkey. The clash follows the decision by the Turkish parliament to postpone the planned overhaul of its penal system. The EU expressed its concern at the decision and demanded that Ankara carry on with its reforms. This angered Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who said that EU accession should not be used to put pressure on Turkey and that member states should not interfere with domestic affairs.

The modernization of Turkey's penal code includes a range of measures, varying from tougher penalties for torture to the prohibition of people smuggling. The reforms are intended to bring Turkey's laws more in line with those of current EU member states

(rnw.nl)

http://www.hri.org/docs/CSCE/040897.html

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/turkey/reports.do

http://www.phrusa.org/research/torture/tortur.html

http://www.diaspora-net.org/Turkey/HRW-torture3_97.html

Though I can see the Turkish PM's point about pressure from the EU, he's not doing it from the loftiest of positions. He essentially inhereted all of the above, and I didn't find any reports of torture since 2002. He came to office in 2003. Then again, I didn't look too hard. I'm not sure if he's enacted any reforms, though from here http://www.einnews.com/turkey/newsfe...pTayyipErdogan there seem to be some sort of reforms being drafted as of today. I'm not paying for a subscription to that though lol so I can't be sure what they are.

I read an article in the paper today saying that the penal reform bill has been delayed partly because the package contains a proposed law making adultery a crime. Apparently, Turkey's legislators received notice that such a law could affect the EU deliberations on Turkey's acceptance. The package has been temporarily withdrawn so that they can think over the adultery law some more. From what little I've heard, the other reforms will be unchanged.

Aerich, there's something I wanted to ask you about kender...lol j/k thanks for the update.

It's interesting to see cultural differences arising like this. The EU deliberated and delayed substantially getting the western countries together. Looks like a lot of compromise will have to be done (on Turkey's end) for this to work.

Grrr. Grrouargggggh! GRRRAAAAGGGGH!!!!

Edit: Look what they've done to me! They've stolen all my food and left me with this yucky [img]graemlins/spam2.gif[/img]

[ 09-18-2004, 03:54 AM: Message edited by: Aerich ]

The EU ..... what a joke.