Turkish Parliament Rejects Veto Of Permissive Stance On Religion Courses

The Turkish Parliament yesterday overrode a veto by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer of amendments to Turkey's Penal Code that reduce the punishment for running a religion course without government authorization. According to a report today from Aljezeera, the amendments are seen as appeasing Islamists in the ruling Justice and Development Party. The President claimed that the change violates Turkey's secular principles. He can still send the law to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.