LBCI

Turkish women protest against deputy PM's no laughing comments

World News

30-07-2014 | 06:11

Share

Share

Turkish women protest against deputy PM's no laughing comments

2^min

Hundreds of Turkish women posted pictures of themselves laughing on Twitter on Wednesday to protest against comments by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc who had urged women not to laugh in public to "protect moral values".

Melda Onur, a lawmaker from the main opposition party CHP said on Twitter Arinc's comments portrayed laughing as a dishonorable act and left women exposed to violence.

Opponents accuse Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government of ruling in an increasingly authoritarian manner and meddling in people's private lives, which has long been a source of conflict between the country's secularists and Erdogan's conservative supporters.

Erdogan is running to become the first directly elected president of predominantly Muslim Turkey.

Arinc, one of the co-founders of Erdogan's AK Party, said this week at a celebration of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan: "The woman should have chastity ... She should not laugh in front of everyone and not be inviting in her behavior. She should protect her honor."

One women's organization said it would file a criminal complaint against the deputy PM.

Arinc's comments, in which he also criticized television soap operas for promoting decadence, also drew criticism from opposition presidential candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu who tweeted: "Our country needs our women to laugh and to hear everyone's joyful laughter more than ever."

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has taken effect

2026-04-16

10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has taken effect

Israeli army reports attack on Hezbollah member in southern Lebanon

2026-02-16

Israeli army reports attack on Hezbollah member in southern Lebanon

Lebanese Parliament approves amendments to bank restructuring law

2026-08-12

Lebanese Parliament approves amendments to bank restructuring law

Son of last Shah tells giant rally he is ready to lead Iran 'transition'

Middle East News

2026-02-14

Son of last Shah tells giant rally he is ready to lead Iran 'transition'

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

1

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

2

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

3

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

4

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

5

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

6

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

7

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

PM Salam condemns Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon, calls for halt

8

PM Salam condemns Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon, calls for halt

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More