As discussions on safeguarding sacred values grow heated in Türkiye, lawyer Cebrail Bozkurt voiced his backing for HÜDA PAR’s proposed legislation, which seeks to criminalize and impose harsh penalties on acts that insult or demean religious and spiritual values.

The proposed amendment to the Turkish Penal Code seeks to establish a new and independent legal article titled “Insulting Religious Values,” while also increasing the penalties and removing the requirement for a formal complaint by victims.

The initiative, submitted by the Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR), comes amid rising public concern over the increasing frequency and boldness of blasphemous behavior, particularly in media and cultural circles. The proposal is viewed by many religious and legal figures as a long-overdue response to societal demands for the protection of sacred beliefs, symbols, and revered personalities from mockery, defamation, and ridicule.

“Insulting Religion Is Not Freedom of Expression – It Is a Crime”

Speaking to Ilke News Agency (ILKHA) lawyer Bozkurt began his statement by addressing a widespread misconception in legal and media discourse—that blasphemous or insulting speech against religious values can be defended under the principle of freedom of expression.

“Let us be clear: insulting divine religions, sacred texts, prophets, or spiritual figures is not protected by the right to free expression. These actions constitute a deliberate attack on people’s most deeply held beliefs and are criminal in nature. Unfortunately, the current legal framework does not offer adequate protection or deterrence,” he stated.

While the Turkish Penal Code already contains provisions under Article 216 (incitement to hatred or enmity) and Article 125/126 (insults and defamation), Bozkurt explained that these are scattered, vague, and often weak in enforcement—particularly when it comes to religious insults. The current laws generally treat such acts as private offences, requiring the victim to file a complaint before prosecution can begin, and prescribe minimal sentences, often without imprisonment.

A Unified, Stronger Article for Protecting Religious Sanctities

HÜDA PAR’s legislative proposal, as explained by Bozkurt, envisions a single, dedicated article in the Penal Code to clearly define and criminalize all forms of public insults, mockery, or derogatory behavior directed at religious values, beliefs, figures, rituals, or symbols recognized and revered by society.

“With this new article, acts of blasphemy, swearing, or slandering against religion will be treated as public crimes. This means that prosecutors can take action even without a formal complaint. More importantly, the minimum prison sentence will be increased to two years, and could extend up to five years for aggravated cases,” he added.

This reform aims to standardize punishment, close legal loopholes, and significantly increase deterrence, thereby reinforcing the protection of sacred values in public life and media.

“The Current Law Does Not Reflect the Will of Society”

Bozkurt emphasized that Turkish society—predominantly Muslim and deeply respectful of its spiritual heritage—has long called for stricter laws against those who insult religious values under the guise of satire or artistic freedom.

“One of the clearest examples of the legal vacuum was the recent publication of a deeply offensive cartoon by Leman magazine targeting our beloved Prophets (peace be upon them). The public outrage that followed was not only moral and emotional but legal in nature—people are angry because the current law is not effective, not deterrent, and not just,” he said.

Bozkurt stressed that such incidents have become increasingly frequent, emboldened by the lack of real consequences for those who desecrate Islamic values or openly mock the religion of millions.

“This Law Will Promote Peace, Social Harmony, and Legal Justice”

The lawyer concluded his statement by highlighting the broader significance of the proposed legislation—not just for Muslims, but for the integrity and moral compass of society as a whole.

“By ensuring that insults to religion are treated with the seriousness they deserve, this law will restore dignity, promote public peace, and uphold the values that hold our nation together. Religious sanctities are the moral foundations of society, and protecting them is a duty not only for believers but for any just and civilized legal system,” Bozkurt said.

He called on Parliament to seriously consider the proposal and urged all political parties, legal experts, and civil society leaders to support the effort to strengthen legal guarantees for the protection of religious belief and expression of faith in Türkiye.

HÜDA PAR’s proposal has sparked wide discussion, with growing support from conservative, pro-Islamic, and religious communities. If adopted, it would mark a historic step in the Turkish legal system’s alignment with public sentiment on the need to criminalize the desecration of the sacred. (ILKHA)