Turkish lawmakers adopted a series of amendments to...

Turkish lawmakers adopted a series of amendments to the country's constitution in a bid to meet EU democracy norms and win the go-ahead to begin talks on joining the bloc.
The package, which amended 10 articles of the constitution relating to judiciary and gender equality matters, drew overwhelming support from 457 lawmakers in the 550-seat house as both the governing party and the opposition backed the changes.
"God willing, these amendments, which constitute a turning point in our history, will strengthen our democracy and improve rights and liberties," Justice Minister Cemil Cicek told the assembly after the vote.
One of the most important reforms in the package abolished state security courts, which try people accused of terrorist crimes and had often come under fire from rights activists and the European Union.
The package amended the constitution to give precedence to international treaties over Turkish law, a change resisted by euro-sceptics who said Turkey would yield some sovereignty to the pan-European bloc.
The reforms also deleted all references to capital punishment in the constitution, a necessary step as the Turkish parliament had already abolished the death penalty.