Turkish Cypriot parliament approves criminal procedure amendment despite media protest

On Monday, the parliament in the Turkish-occupied north approved a new bill amending the criminal procedure law. The amendments include the abolition of preliminary examinations, an increase in the number of judges, and new regulations concerning bail and the appointment of defense lawyers. A central feature of the law prohibits the publication of names and photographs of suspects to preserve the presumption of innocence. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) opposed the lack of distinction between private citizens and public officials, fearing it would limit press freedom, but their proposed amendment was rejected. The Basın-Sen journalists' union boycotted a press conference organized by the Bar Association to explain the law, leading to its cancellation. The union argued that the law threatens journalists with criminal sanctions and restricts public access to information. Conversely, the Bar Association maintains that the law, drafted since 2023, is designed to ensure fair trials and modernize judicial procedures.