Adultery, Turkey and Europe

Turkey still weighing anti-adultery law
Despite EU protests, ruling party reportedly to introduce measure
The Associated Press
Sept. 16, 2004


ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's Islamic-rooted ruling party was planning to introduce a proposal to criminalize adultery despite earlier statements that the controversial measure had been shelved, Turkish media reported Thursday.

The reported decision came only two days after the party said it shelved the proposal following protests from women's groups and warnings from the European Union that such a law could jeopardize the country's chances of joining the European bloc.

According to private television broadcasters CNN-Turk and NTV, the ruling party would replace the word "adultery" with "sexual infidelity" in a new proposal.

The proposal was part of a major overhaul of the mostly Muslim country's penal code undertaken as the 25 EU states prepare to decide by year's end whether to begin talks on Turkey's membership.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed it would protect families and women who have been wronged by their husbands. Opponents claimed it was a bid to appeal to Erdogan's conservative, devoutly Islamic base and would be a step backward for women's rights.

The penal code package, which lawmakers began debating Tuesday, includes harsher punishment for rapists, pedophiles, torturers, human traffickers and women who kill children born out of wedlock. It also makes crime of rape in marriage and sexual harassment.

EU criticism
Supporters of Turkey's EU bid say the measures would help the cause of Europeans vehemently opposed to the predominantly Muslim country of some 70 million people joining the 25-member bloc.

EU enlargement official Guenter Verheugen warned during a visit that the anti-adultery measure would create the impression Turkey's legal code is moving toward Islamic law.

"If this proposal, which I gather is only a proposal, in respect of adultery were to become firmly fixed into law, then that would create difficulties for Turkey," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Monday.

Details of the anti-adultery proposal have not been made public. Cicek said the measure would only be applied if a spouse complains. Haluk Ipek, a senior member of the Justice and Development Party, said Monday that adulterers could face six months to two years in prison.

Instructing the turkish women to shave off their moustaches is a better way to reduce the level of adultery.

There is a hostage situation in Greece with about 25 passengers on board. What are the odds of the terrorist being muslims?

Tell me when you know who they are.