ANKARA - British Foreign Secretary said on Wednesday that "the Turkish Parliament`s amendments to Article 301 on freedom of expression are a clear demonstration of Turkey`s commitment to reform."
Turkish Parliament passed a bill early on Wednesday on amendment to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
"The amendment is an important step towards Turkey`s membership of the EU," British Foreign Secretary said in a statement.
"It is a significant endorsement of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Turkish citizens. The United Kingdom and its EU partners have long encouraged Turkey to take this step. We look forward to its successful implementation, and to continuing reforms that - like the amendment to Article 301 - reinforce still further Turkey`s place in Europe," it added.
Under the amendment, the term "Turkishness" in the article is replaced by the "Turkish nation," and the term "Republic" is replaced with "State of the Republic of Turkey."
Under the law, those who insult Turkish nation, state, parliament, legal bodies, government, military or police openly shall be sentenced to imprisonment terms up to 2 years. Explaining views aiming at criticism will not be a crime.
(TÇ-EÖ)