ANKARA (A.A) - 03.08.2002 - Capital punishment was lifted except for the ''crimes committed in times of war and situations of imminent war'' under the European Union (EU) adjustment bill that was enacted by Parliamentary General Assembly on Saturday.
With a change envisaged to be made in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), the bill lifted capital punishment for crimes of terrorism and commuted capital punishment to life imprisonment. Criminals of terrorism whose capital punishments are commuted to life imprisonment, cannot benefit from reduction in punishment and conditional release. Their imprisonment will continue till their death.
Punishment will no longer apply to written, vocal or pictorial criticism of Turkish identity, the Republic, government, parliament, state institutions and justice system.

-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Definition of ''human smuggling'' will be added to the TCK.
Those smuggling people will be sentenced to imprisonment from 2 years to 5 years, and to pay at least 1 billion Turkish lira in fine. Vehicles used in human smuggling will be seized. Also, the crime of organ smuggling will be punished with heavy imprisonment.
Those smuggling people with the aim of forced labour will be given imprisonment terms between 5 years and 10 years.

-FOUNDATIONS
With a change made in the Foundation Law, religious and minority foundations will be able to buy and sell real properties in order to meet their requirements with the permission of the Council of Ministers.
Turkish foundations will be allowed to cooperate closely with similar institutions abroad and foundations abroad will be permitted to set up branches in Turkey with government permission.

-ASSOCITAIONS
Procedures and rules about activities of Turkish associations abroad and of foreign associations in Turkey will be re-arranged. Foundation of associations aiming at holding international activities and this associations' opening branches abroad will depend on permission of the Council of Ministers upon proposal of the Interior Ministry by taking view of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
If foreign associations cooperating with Turkish associations, hold activities against laws and national interests of Turkey, Turkish associations' relations with these associations will be ended with the government decision.
Associations cannot hold training activities for military service and national defense. They cannot open any camps and training centers to this end.
The Interior Ministry or the supreme administrative units will inspect the associations whenever it is necessary.
Laws and regulations restricting public meetings and marches will be eased. Demonstrations will be permitted with 48-hour notification to the authorities. Foreigners will be able to attend a meeting or address a meeting in Turkey on the condition of notifying the relevant authorities.

-RETRIAL PROCESS
The bill adds an article to the Code of Civil Procedure (HMUK), enabling application to the Supreme Court of Appeals to request a re-trial within one year after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) if it is understood that the verdict gives rise to consequences that can't be removed with compensation. The bill also foresees some amendments to the Law of Criminal Procedure (CMUK) in parallel to this.

-BROADCASTING IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
In accordance with the bill envisaging amendment to the Law on Foundations and Broadcasts of Radio and Televisions, broadcasting in different languages and accents traditionally spoken or used by Turkish citizens in their daily life can be made.
However, it says, such broadcasting ''cannot'' be against the Republic of Turkey's basic rules and principles and characteristics mentioned in the Constitution and against the principle of ''the state's indivisible integrity with its country and nation''.
Under the same bill, programmes cannot be ''in a way of inciting violence or racism''. However, the article permits retransmission of programmes on the condition of being in line with the regulations.

-LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Under the bill, the National Education Ministry can open courses to teach different languages and accents which are spoken and used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily life, but the Council of Ministers has the authority to determine rules and principles of regulations for opening of such courses instead of the National Education Ministry. These courses cannot be against the Republic of Turkey's basic rules and principles and characteristics mentioned in the Constitution and against the principle of ''the state's indivisible integrity with its country and nation''.

-BAN ON STRIKE IN FREE ZONES
Police's Duty and Authority Law was adjusted with the EU regulations.
Those under 18 years of age will not be able to enter or work in public places in which alcoholic drinks are consumed.
Restrictions on public officials to found associations will be removed.
Rules banning strikes and lockouts in free zones within ten years from its foundation will be removed.