Turkish parliament passes controversial headscarf amnesty

Published: 15-3-2005

Turkish parliament passes controversial headscarf amnesty

ANKARA - The Turkish parliament Tuesday passed for a second time a controversial law pardoning tens of thousands of women who were expelled from universities for reasons including the wearing of the Islamic headscarf, banned under Turkey's secular education system.

The law, which amnesties students expelled since 2000, was already vetoed once by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in late February.

Sezer indicated that any such amnesty would have to have the support of a three-fifths majority in parliament, a result achieved Tuesday with 349 in favor out of 550 votes.

The bill was drawn up by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has roots in a now banned Islamic movement.

Critics have blasted the law as a "populist" political tactic aimed at women who were expelled for wearing headscarves, which are banned in the civil service, schools and universities.

A total of 240,000 students could take advantage of the law.

Headscarves are regarded by the establishment, including the Turkish army, as a statement of opposition to the overwhelmingly Muslim nation's strictly secular order.


Source: AFP and Turkish Press