Move to curb power of judges in Turkey

Turkey’s ruling AKP party unveiled on the 22 March 2010 plans for constitutional change that would curb the powers of its most persistent opponents in the judiciary and military.

The initiative would overhaul the judiciary and make it harder to close political parties. The article suggests that the reforms will inflame an already febrile political climate, coming shortly after the arrest of dozens of officers charged with plotting a military coup.

ESO: Background information: Turkey needs more from Ataturk’s heirs http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-needs-more-from-ataturks-heirs/

Deutsche Welle, 22.3.10: Turkey seeks constitutional changes to get into EU http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5379935,00.html

Blogactiv.eu, 13.4.10: EU Uncritical of Turkish Constitution Package (by Robert Cutler) http://robertcutler.blogactiv.eu/2010/04/13/eu-uncritical-of-turkish-constitution-package/?utm_source=EurActiv+Newsletter&utm_campaign=90fc61a321-Bmail&utm_medium=email

European Commission: MEMO/10/117: Statement by Stefan Füle on the Constitutional reform proposals in Turkey http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/117&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---