Turkey free speech move: readers react

BBC website readers have been reacting to plans by the Turkish government to soften its controversial Article 301 - which limits free speech.

Under the current law it is a crime to "insult Turkishness" - which has led to prosecutions of a number of Turkish intellectuals including novelist Orhan Pamuk. The EU had set reform of Article 301 as a necessary move on the road to membership.

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SUPPORT CHANGE IN LAW

It is obvious that the Turkish law needs to be reformed. The current constitution is based on a militarist frame of mind as it was introduced by the military right after the coup of 1980. But more importantly, before trying to force Turkey to become more transparent, more democratic and more in line with "European" values, the EU should try to be more transparent, more democratic and more in line with its own principles, with regard to the entry of Turkey into the EU bloc.
Diren Yardimli, Istanbul

This amendment is a good pace forward for Turkey. We need to digest every criticism otherwise we can not see our weak points. We have to sort out our terrorism problem through communication and good intentions. We should see our diversity as adding to the richness of our country.
Yusuf Ziya Cakir, Eskisehir

I think that this reform brings Turkey in line with the positive law of many EU countries. And the changes to the law really means only "insults" will be considered - such as burning the Turkish flag. Some people might think that is not "perfect" enough, but let's just not forget that things like burning the flag have been a topic of discussion even in the US. I am a free speech absolutist - but I believe that is a big step forward. And nothing is perfect.
Baris Tarim, Caen, France/Istanbul, Turkey

CHANGES DO NOT GO FAR ENOUGH

It would have been better to have repealed the law outright. I don't think the semantic changes offer much improvement - what is the difference between insulting "Turkishness" and the Turkish nation? It is however somewhat consoling that the sentence for breaking the law has been reduced and even more so that the ministry of justice will have the final say on whether a case is to be opened.
Kaan Atakan, Istanbul

I have a great disbelief that the current regime will do anything that would free anyone - all I have seen so far from the governing AKP is that they use The EU as an excuse to chip away at the secularism in Turkey.
Tamer Kalama, Izmir

It is just new make-up on the donkey called 301. But even with this make-up, it is still a donkey.
Cem Yildiz, Ankara, Turkey

The new law won't change anything. The problem is not the law, it is the people who can't tolerate different points of view. The only solution is an educational reform in Turkey.
Serhan, Istanbul

AGAINST CHANGE IN LAW

This change in law is yet another intervention into Turkey's internal affairs by EU. With its double standards, the EU has proved itself an untrustworthy "ally" in Turkish minds. Europe has supported PKK terrorists over the past three decades. Now, the EU is trying to clear the way for the creation of multiple national identities within the Turkish nation. However, patriotic sentiment is rising rapidly in Turkey, and the EU's plans will be disrupted soon.
Ali Demirci, Izmir, Turkey

Turkey does not need the EU and these laws are a great mistake to be carried out in the republic of Turkey as a huge problem close to a civil war will start between nationalists and religious or anti-Kemalist supporters. This is probably what the EU wants.
Onur Levent, London, England