By KUNA,
Brussels : The European Union welcomed the action taken today by the Turkish Parliament in legislating for changes in Article 301 of the Penal Code.
“This is a constructive step forward in ensuring freedom of expression and we look forward to its effective implementation. This step is both positive for Turkey and an indication of Turkey’s continuing commitment to the reform process,” said a statement released by the current Slovenian EU Presidency.
The European Commission, the EUs executive body, also welcomed the move .
“This amendment is of course a welcome step forward and the Commission now looks forward for similar moves to change articles in the penal code,” an EC spokesperson Amadeu Altafaj Tardio told reporters here.
Turkey’s parliament has voted to amend Article 301, a controversial law that limited free speech by permitting the prosecution of people for “insulting Turkishness.” Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership.