EU steps up pressure for Turkish penal-code reform

Commission  spokesperson Krisztina Nagy said that “the Commission welcomes this recent judgement. This is obviously good news." However, she insisted that article 301 “continues to pose a significant threat to freedom of expression in Turkey and to all those who express a non-violent opinion".

Dutch MEP Joost Lagendijk said on the issue concerning article 301 "the Turkish government has a majority in parliament. This is an issue where they could act. If they don't, it makes it much harder to find a compromise on Cyprus as well, so this has an influence much wider than only freedom of speech. It can influence the negotiation process positively if something happens, and negatively if nothing does." 

British MEP Richard Howitt said that "there are 80 such cases going on at the moment. Most are opened for political reasons. As long as the law remains unchanged, these people will be able to carry on causing mayhem."

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made clear that he was ready to consider amending a controversial article of the penal code:"Let’s sit down and discuss this. We have to forge a consensus.”

Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that the government would first monitor the implementation of the controversial article 301 before considering changing it.