Adultery is not Crime in a State of Law

Women's Platform of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) criticized reports that said that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) wants to abolish an article in the TCK draft that states adultery is not a crime.

The platform said that the AKP government was expecting a date to start membership negotiations with the European Union (EU) at the end of this year. "If the government is sincere, it has to ensure equality between men and women, in line with the Copenhagen Criteria," said the platform.

"Our responsibilities and promises on women's policies are clear since the day Turkey became a candidate country to join the EU on December 10, 1999 in Helsinki," said the women. "What are they trying to gain by bringing up the issue of adultery only weeks ahead of the completion of the progress report on Turkey?"

"Adultery is not a crime in the penal code of any country with a rule of law. It cannot become a crime in Turkey's penal law," said the platforms. It listed the women's demands about the TCK law to be discussed in parliament on September 14:

* Virginity tests should be completely banned.

* There should be no punishment for youth aged between 15 and 18, who engage in sexual relations.

* Phrases that limit the freedom of expression should be removed from the article on "obscenity."

* The expression "sexual orientation" should be added in the article on "discrimination."

* The phrase "traditional crimes" should be changed to read "honor crimes." (BB/EA/YE)