ALBAWABA - The proposed "Influence Agent Law," which opponents warn might stifle dissent, particularly journalists, has alarmed the Turkish opposition.
Gökhan Günaydın, CHP Group Deputy Chairman, expressed concern that the bill might be used against opposition parties and plans to oppose it in the Constitutional Court.
This week, the Turkish Parliament (TBMM) will discuss a bill to increase punishments for state security and political offenses. However, Istanbul MP Günaydın attacked the law, arguing that it expands espionage accusations and threatens democracy.
The measure expands the Turkish Penal Code to encompass foreign state or organization conduct that threatens Turkey's national security or political interests. Convicted parties might get seven years in jail. Günaydın warned that the vague definition might lead to unjustified labeling of dissidents as "agents of foreign influence," and could result in accusations against opposition politicians and critical media.
Günaydın cited a NATO Parliamentary Assembly conference in Sofia, when a similar bill in Georgia was deemed a democratic danger. All Turkish MPs, including AKP members, rejected the Georgian bill, he said. Now, he asked these MPs to explain their position on the Turkish plan.
Günaydın reaffirmed the CHP's plan to stop the law's adoption, stating that using illegal tactics to protect democracy would erode democratic ideals. The CHP will appeal to the Constitutional Court if the law passes.
Increasing worries over judicial politicization have led Günaydın to warn that the legislation may be used to silence opponents, especially journalists. He highlighted that the measure doesn't need proof of foreign relations, making it simpler to accuse people of foreign influence.
In Georgia, a similar legislation was attacked worldwide as anti-democratic, according to Günaydın. If such legislation passes, Turkey might lose its worldwide democratic character, he warned.
