Security bill back on Turkish parliament's agenda

Parliament?s General Assembly is scheduled to hold new debates on a controversial homeland security bill today, but there is no sign that the parties in the legislature are any closer to resolving their profound differences over the proposal.

The General Assembly-level debates have so far been postponed twice even though the bill was originally scheduled to be debated in early February.

Both President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu have been fiercely advocating the adoption of the bill, while the Republican People?s Party (CHP) and the Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) are determined to say ?no pasarán? to the bill and will use all their resources to prevent the bill from passing.

Still, AKP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Mahir Ünal recalled that amendments initiated by the opposition had been made during commission-level debates and implied that something similar could happen in the General Assembly as long as debates are conducted in a healthy way.

The government drafted this bill in order to eliminate security frailties that police encounter in line with changing dynamics, Ünal said.

Could we talk?

?We have tried to protect freedoms and public order at the same time. We have sought and we are seeking answers as to how citizens can arrange non-violent demonstrations without being provoked and without vandalism. Of course, problems are emerging during implementation. There is no arrangement which is 100 percent perfect,? Ünal said, in response to objections.

?It is not right to appeal to people?s fears while discussing these arrangements. Those who have had fears can come up and make contributions. Concerns from the opposition have been taken seriously. Unfortunately, we are not...