[JURIST] The Istanbul Bar Association [official website, in Turkish] has urged the Turkish government to withdraw proposed anti-terror legislation, warning that the bill could harm freedom, while adding nothing to the previously adopted Turkish Penal Code [JURIST report]. The Bar Association, in a written statement made Friday, argued that the anti-terror bill could result in stiff punishments for the media and for crimes like writing graffiti. The Bar Association also said that the bill should not extend the opportunity for amnesty to top-level terrorist group leaders.

The legislation was proposed [New Anatolian op-ed] after security forces argued that they needed additional legal means to fight terror groups like the Kurdistan Workers' Party [FAS backgrounder]. The anti-terror bill could become a factor as Turkey [JURIST news archive] pursues its bid for EU membership [JURIST report]. From Turkey, the New Anatolian has more.