Turkey wants to criminalise adultery

[Khephra]

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's government wants to make adultery a crime, the justice minister has been quoted as saying -- a proposal that has outraged the main opposition and women's groups.

Although the legislation would also apply to men, a previous adultery law abolished six years ago was used mainly against women.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which traces its roots to a banned Islamist movement, wants to include the adultery ban in an overhaul of the penal code, promised as part of reforms aimed at meeting European Union criteria.

The main opposition party has threatened to vote against the entire penal code reform if the clause on adultery is included in the bill and brought to parliament.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=573908§ion=news

[LittleApple81]

1. Well, that will take them out of the running for the European Union, I

hope.

[barb162]

2. oh jeez, now Turkey?

I think of Turkey as the only Islamic country that wasn't discriminating against women. These laws tend to get applied only toward women. At least the opposition sounds like it is using common sense.

[A_Possum]

10. Turkey still has some very medieval pockets

Stoning of women for adultery, while the man goes free, is still practiced in "tribal" areas. Though some of these women have been made into martyrs and heroines, so there is a strong opposing current too.

I personally consider this kind of thing to be similar to the continuing problem with the murder of children by witch doctors in Africa; a throwback to earlier centuries.

[havocmom]

3. Now there's a 'defence of marriage' idea I'll wager Repub pols won't adopt

:evilgrin: No more boinking the next Mrs while still married to the current one. It would really mess up Newt's social life.

[Bozita]

4. It's the ultimate defense of marriage act -- Hey! ...Freeper lurkers!

Divorce could be a capital offense.

[napi21]

8. And Rudy, and probably half the House & Senate.

[DBoon]

11. This is sounding better an' better

What a great way to get rid of Republican politicians! What would'a thought!

[chiburb]

5. So does my wife...

Just kidding!

:-)

[DemBones DemBones]

6. "Christian Reconstructionists" in the U.S. want to criminalise adultery.

Also known as "Dominionists," they would institute the death penalty for blasphemy and apostasy as well as for adultery.

They are frightening people who are gaining power. See this thread begun last night; many good links in it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2282947#2283663

[Jacobin]

7. It used be a criminal violation in a lot of states in the U.S.

Do they have much oil? If not, we won't invade.

[environmental_ideas]

9. no no

please NO

[Radius]

12. Islamic

There is a slightly more islamic party in control now. Most turks are happy with secular society. This will go nowhere, hopefully.

I'm pretty sure adultery laws still exist on many state books.

Get convicted of adultery in a divorce, you pay more..

[Eurobabe]

13. Hypocritical REPUBES would never go for this

There would be no one to run the govt.

[Wakeup_America]

14. How can it apply equally to men

where according to Islam men (not women) are allowed to have up to 4 permanent wives and as many as temporary wives they want.

I just despise governments imposing any religious based rule on its people.

[Sufi Marmot]

15. If this goes into effect...

...it will be interesting to see whether it is applied against Turkish men who frequent prostitutes in places like Istanbul and Trabzon...

-SM