Turkey president approves contentious laws

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has indicated that he will sign new controversial law that would tighten controls over the judiciary and the Internet.

Speaking to reporters, Gul hinted that he will not block any such legislation.

“As the president, I cannot put myself in the position of the constitutional court. But in a very general way, I can make my objections concerning the points I see,” he was quoted as saying.

“That is our tradition. Presidents before me would say ‘the constitutional court decides on the subject of laws in which there are arguments for and against’,” he added.

Two bills proposed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party and passed by parliament this month, are awaiting the president’s approval.

Critics have called on Gul to block the laws, claiming the bills are a response to a corruption inquiry that has targeted Erdogan’s close allies.

One of the laws will give the government more influence over choosing judges and prosecutors.

The other allows the government to block access to websites deemed to violate privacy or to have “insulting” content without a court order. The authorities could also request users’ communications and traffic information from providers with no court ruling.

Meanwhile, Ankara says it is planning to amend the Internet bill which has faced widespread opposition at home and sparked international outcries as well.

The European Parliament has denounced the new Internet law as a “step back in an already suffocating environment for media freedom.”

On Friday, the United Nations warned that the new cyber law in Turkey may violate international human rights rules.