A Turkish government commission began its proceedings...

A Turkish government commission began its proceedings to review the death penalty. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk told the commission that its task was to amend the Turkish Penal Code to make "human rights the main aim" and to "broaden the right to freedom of expression". He said the death penalty would be reviewed "within the wholeness of crime and penal policy, and by taking into account international standards and the reality of the country". Turk said the commission's recommendations would be passed via the Ministry of Justice to parliament and the cabinet. It was expected to take at least six months to produce its report.