By Suzan Fraser - The Associated Press

ANKARA - The Turkish Parliament yesterday began debating a revised version of the country’s delayed penal code reform, criticized by journalists who say the amendments don’t go far enough toward eliminating threats to press freedoms.

Parliament had been expected in March to approve the new legislation, which revamps Turkey’s 79-year-old code by improving women’s rights and eliminating all reference to the death penalty, which was abolished in 2002. But the government delayed the vote until now to address fears that the new code could threaten freedoms and result in tough prison terms for journalists.

Critics, however, say the revised draft makes no significant improvement, and one change — making it a crime to insult state institutions — would even bring harsher punishment. Journalists say the new code would need more improvement before it comes into effect on June 1.

Critics say the draft penal code legislation contains vague language that could make it easier to crack down on journalists and make it more difficult to cover legal proceedings.

Justice Minister Cemil Cicek defended the code. “It may have shortfalls and mistakes, but no one should say these were deliberate,” Cicek said. “Important improvements were made through good will and hard work.”

One article calls for prison sentences for those who disregard the state’s “fundamental national interests.” A reasoning attached to the draft of that article specifies that calling for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from Cyprus or saying that Armenians were subjected to genocide during World War I should be considered an offense punishable by three to 10 years in prison.