Armenian Cause subject to more open discussions in Turkey: EU

The European Commission published yesterday its regular progress report on Turkey.

The document said there was an increasing open and free debate in the media and public on topics perceived as sensitive, such as the Kurdish issue, minority rights and the Armenian question, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

However, anti-terror and press laws which have been used to try people for "insulting Turkishness" - have been used to restrict freedom of expression, the document further reads.

"The large number of cases initiated against journalists who have reported on the Ergenekon case is a cause of concern. They face prosecution and trials for violating the principle of the confidentiality of an ongoing judicial process. This could result in self-censorship," the draft said.

According to the authors, anti-Semitism continues to remain prevalent in the press.

The report also focuses on religious freedoms, the population's life in Turkey's eastern provinces, the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Ergenekon trial, the "democratic initiative" and the recent constitutional reforms adopted by the country's Grand National Assembly.