Free speech reform comes into force in Turkey

(ANKARA) - A long-awaited law aimed at expanding freedom of speech came into force in Turkey on Thursday after presidential approval.

The law, passed by parliament last week under European Union pressure, was published in the Official Gazzette, after President Abdullah Gul signed it into law late Wednesday.

It amends the infamous Article 301 of the penal code, which had landed dozens of intellectuals in court for "insulting Turkishness" and prompted harsh EU warnings that freedom of speech was under threat in the membership-hopeful country.

Under the amendment, "Turkishness" -- a term criticised as too broad and vague -- was replaced with the "Turkish nation" and the envisaged jail term lessened from three to two years, allowing the sentence to be suspended automatically or converted to a fine.

In a bid to make trials under the law more difficult, the provision now requires the justice minister's approval before prosecutors can launch cases.

A clause calling for increased sanctions if the offence is committed abroad was removed from the law.

Article 301 has mainly targeted people contesting the official line on the World War I massacres of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire, which, much to Turkey's ire, many countries have recognised as genocide.

Dozens of intellectuals, including 2006 Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk and slain ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, have been tried under the article, even though no one was jailed as sentences were suspended.

During a visit to Ankara Tuesday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the amendment, but cautioned that Brussels would be closely watching whether it is properly implemented on the ground.

Human rights activists have slammed the revision as inadequate, arguing that Article 301 should be scrapped altogether and that other provisions restricting free speech remain in Turkey's law books.

Ankara has so far opened accession talks in only six of the 35 policy areas candidates are required to complete amid a trade row over Cyprus and strong opposition to its membership in some EU countries.

Also late Wednesday, President Gul ratified a social security reform that introduces tougher retirement conditions and has drawn harsh protests from trade unions.