While the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party is preparing to pass through Parliament once again this week the bill which would reduce the sentence for anyone caught running or teaching in an unauthorized Koran course, the opposition Republican People's (CHP) Party is sharpening its tone in response. CHP members on the Parliament's Justice Commission have made these chilling accusations about the changes to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), changes which Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed only a few weeks back:

***As seen in previous examples, some 12 and 13 year olds who went off with the best intentions to learn the Koran were the victims of molestation and even rape, something we are supporting by lifting the punishment from people running these courses.
 
***By allowing courses which are unauthorized to go unpunished, we are also allowing different terrorist organizations, even PKK style organizations, to open courses without the threat of punishment. We are also opening the doors to unlimited activities by missionaries in our country. We are creating an environment which will encourage perverted people. (Hürriyetim)