Ankara, Turkey
Turkey this week approved a sweeping revision of its laws—part of its campaign to gain membership in the European Union. Legislators dropped from the reform package a proposal to criminalize adultery, after European officials warned that such a law would almost certainly kill Turkey’s chances of E.U. membership. Under the new criminal code, a female victim’s marital status or virginity is no longer a factor in determining penalties for crimes against women. The code also includes tougher penalties for rape and torture. The E.U. will soon rule on whether Turkey has made enough progress on human rights to allow formal membership talks to begin. Some European leaders continue to voice strong doubts. Does Europe, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin asked recently, really want “the river of Islam to enter the riverbed of secularism?”
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