Turkish parliament approves bill expanding rights, freedoms

Turkish lawmakers approved on April 11 a bill, publicly known as «the fourth judicial reform package,» which expands human rights and the freedoms of speech and press.

The reform package introduces amendments to prevent human rights violations, ensure fair trial, expand the boundaries of the freedom of expression and press, and to prevent long detention and trial periods.

Among other provisions, the bill stipulates that suspects charged with spreading the propaganda of terrorist groups could only be sentenced to prison terms if they are proven guilty of «legitimizing, praising or encouraging methods that involve use of force, violence and threat.»

Adapted from Worldbulletin