Turkish Parliament Softens Law Restricting Free Speech

I. Turkish Parliament Softens Law Restricting Free Speech. International Herald Tribune. 4/30/08

II. Legislators approved a proposal to amend Article 301, which prevents disparagement against Turkish identity or institutions. This law has been used to prosecute intellectuals such as Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk. Amending this article is an important step towards ensuring freedom of expression. Human rights group said that the law did not do enough and that other laws that restrict freedom of expression need to be amended. The amendment failed to address the problems with protecting free speech. The law was voted 250-65 to be amended. Before the change can go into effect, it must be approved by the Turkish president.

III.
a) This article relates to the theme "development and interactions of cultures" because it deals with the philosophy and beliefs of the government and people on freedom of expression.
b) The limit on personal expression has been present for years. Last year, Hrant Dink was gunned down and prosecuted under Article 301 for calling the mass killings of Armenians by Turks in the 1900s as "genocide."
c) The point of view is unknown because the article is written by the Associated Press.
d) The author seems to favor the amending of the article and the welcoming of freedom of expression by the amount of positive information given about the amendment. He/She talks about the unamended article negatively, saying how it has been used to "prosecute...intellectuals"
e) I would like to hear from a Nationalist who opposes this amendment, in order to discover why he thinks the amendment shouldn't occur.
f) I think that it's a good idea to amend Article 301, but more than just that has to be done. Other articles need to be amended to further increase freedom of expression.