PanArmenian News
Sept 20 2004
INTRODUCTION OF PUNISHMENT FOR GENOCIDE INTO TURKISH CRIMINAL CODE
MAY BECOME HEADACHE FOR COUNTRY
20.09.2004 18:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Deputy of the Great National Assembly of Turkey
(GNAT) representing Ankara Ersyonmez Yarabayn has expressed concern
over the bill of reform of the Criminal Code, approved by the GNAT
Supreme Council, including a point, providing punishment for
committing genocide. According to Hurriyet Turkish newspaper, having
criticized the provision on genocide, the Deputy stated that “the
amendment” may become a headache for Turkey, as Ankara has not
recognized the Armenian Genocide. Minister of Justice of Turkey Jemil
Cicek tried to calm him down, noting that the changes being
introduced will not have a retroactive effect. It should be noted
that the new article for genocide, which is introduced for the first
time in Turkey’s history, provides for the extreme penalty – life
imprisonment. It should be added that the reform of the Criminal Code
is a prerequisite for the beginning of talks on Ankara accession to
the EU.