An amendment to Turkey’s constitution that would lift the parliamentary immunity of more than 100 lawmakers will have a chilling effect on free speech in the country, US Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said in a statement reported on Saturday by Sputnik.
On Friday, Turkey’s parliament approved a controversial bill that pro-Kurdish members of parliament say specifically targets them for their political views.
"[W]e firmly believe that the freedom to engage in political speech — even speech which many find controversial or uncomfortable — should and must be protected for everyone," Toner stated. "This is especially important when it involves speech by elected representatives of a country’s citizens."