Head of Turkish bars union writes letter to President Gül over Internet bill

ANKARA – Radikal

Metin Feyzioğlu, the head of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), has written a letter to President Abdullah Gül over the controversial Internet law.

“We believe that the regulation concerned will not contribute to making a Turkey based on the information society, and it will also be an obstacle before the country’s ability to stand among the modern world equally and responsibly,” said Feyzioğlu in his letter sent to Gül.

“The decision to block or limit access to the Internet should only be given by the judges on condition of having concrete reasoning. All concepts over the issue must be defined without leaving space for any doubts or misinterpretations. The regulation must not impose limits that pressure or block freedoms and rights,” he also said in his letter. 

“If this regulation is enforced it will limit fundamental rights and freedoms and the Internet will be censored,” Feyzioğlu added.

The Internet law was approved by Parliament on Feb. 6, and gives the authority to black access to web pages to the head of the Telecommunications Directorate (TİB). It has been widely seen as a government move to increase control over citizens’ online activities.