'Empty Barrels make the most noise' - European Parliament 'postpones' voting on key Turkey report.

'Empty Barrels make the most noise' - European Parliament 'postpones' voting on key Turkey report. (Bugun).

The Turkey Progress Report prepared by Turkey rapporteur Kati Piri will be delayed until June to get more time to stir up discussion.

The report had severely criticized Turkey on the subjects of “independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression and the freedom of press," pointing out that the press has reached a level of self-censorship as a result of a number of infringements by the government.

“Attempts to ban social media, later overturned by the Constitutional Court, and pressures on the press leading to a widespread self-censorship, reflect a restrictive approach to freedom of expression. The approach taken in the area of freedom of assembly remains restrictive," the report reads.

The report echoed the criticism against the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) for not tackling corruption allegations which surfaced in the December 17-25 probes and instead exploiting the situation to conduct purges and politicize the police force and the judiciary.

“The response of the government following allegations of corruption in December 2013 has given rise to serious concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers.

The widespread reassignments and dismissals of police officers, judges and prosecutors, despite the government’s claim that these were not linked to the anti-corruption case, have impacted on the effective functioning of the relevant institutions, and raise questions as to the way procedures were used to formalise these."

The Christian Democrats had called for the removal of the items pertaining to the opening of new chapters in the report.

In the meantime, the Green Party MEP’s raised concern stating that they did not want the subject of Turkey’s accession process to the EU be exploited in the internal politics of member states. Hmmmm....Actions speak louder then words, as i said before Europe will sell all Human right values for cheap Gas from 'Islamist' Turkey.