ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has blocked a key piece of reform legislation passed in November 2006 to broaden religious freedoms in Turkey. A staunch secularist, Sezer sent the "foundations law" back to Parliament for revision Nov. 29, the same day the European Commission recommended suspension of eight chapters of Turkey’s negotiation talks to enter the European Union (EU).
His presidential veto puts on hold rising EU demands that Turkey address the long-standing grievances of its tiny Christian and Jewish minorities, less than 1 percent of the population. In its final amended form, the bill would have permitted minority religious foundations to reclaim dozens of valuable properties confiscated by the Turkish state over the past 32 years.
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