By Huiyu Yin
Human rights activists and perhaps the general public in
Turkey just celebrated the government’s reforms to limit police power in February
2014. On October 22, 2014, the government reversed its position and introduced
a new bill that would expand the police’s search and seizure, and wiretapping
powers. In addition, the bill would introduce a new charge that could
potentially be used against government critics and restrict lawyers’ right to
access evidence against their clients at the investigation stage. The bill is
currently pending before the Turkish Parliament. After review by the Justice
Commission of the Parliament, it may be submitted to the General Assembly,
which may happen in the coming days.
Human Rights Watch identified five
particularly problematic elements of the 35-article bill, which amends
elements of the Criminal Procedure Code and Turkish Penal Code as well as other
laws.
0 comments:
Post a Comment