Deputy Proposes the Decriminalization of Insulting President

Peoples’ Democratic Party Ayla Akat Ata requested the removal of Turkish Penal Code Article 299 on insulting the president departing from international treaties. The aforementioned article imposes 1 to 4 years of prison for the related charges. 

Ayla Akat Ata reminded that at least 45 people are currently facing prosecution for the related charges and several of them have either been detained or arrested lately. 

She also said that she aimed to expand the boundaries against free speech towards politicians according to Turkey’s responsibilities to international treaties and basic human rights law.  

“Insulting a person doesn’t mean insult to state”

She also wrote the following:

“In addition to that, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that presidents of countries can’t be protected in terms of insults more than ordinary citizens due to their positions. It specified that claims on insulting the president would mean insulting the state had no grounds. 

“According to ECHR, this is against the spirit of European Declaration of Human Rights, an agreement that consider all human beings as equal. Therefore, there can’t be a crime called ‘insulting the president’. Previous ECHR rulings already evolved to the point where insulting presidents are no longer criminalized. It is considered within the limits of criticism.” (EKN/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.