Istanbul – Turkey To Impose Moral Guidelines For Citizenship

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    File: ISTANBUL, TURKEY : Turkish women shout angry slogans during a demonstration.  EPA PHOTO/ EPA/KERIM OKTENIstanbul – Spouses of Turkish citizens wishing to become naturalized will have to prove that they have a good public moral record, according to a new bill published Tuesday on the parliament‘s website.

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    The law does not specify what a good moral record would mean, leaving the phrase open to interpretation by officials amid rising concerns over the politicization of state institutions in the country.

    Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said a new bill, which also details sentencing structures for violent protesters, will help keep public order.

    “It will allow for strong precautionary measures to be put in place against vandals who are trying to get rid of freedom of assembly and protest,” Davutoglu told a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

    The proposal comes after a year of protests in Turkey‘s main cities, sparked by the Gezi Park anti-government movement last year.

    Last month, clashes between police, Kurdish nationalists and their opponents left about 40 people dead.

    Under the bill, fireworks and similar devices will be considered illegal at protests, and carry a minimum sentence of two years. Masks will also be banned.

    Interior minister Efkan Ala described the bill as a “a reform package” and said more changes to existing legislation will be brought before parliament in the near future.

    The government has recently amended the laws governing the judiciary and the Internet to the consternation of the opposition, which fears the AKP is becoming authoritarian, infringing on individuals‘ privacy and eroding the walls between the branches of government.


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