Turkish president approves controversial bill increasing government powers over judiciary

• Turkish president Abdullah Gul approved the bill on restricting the judicial powers on 26 February 2014. 
• This bill is about curbing the independence of the judicial powers.
• The bill will give more control to the Justice ministry in comparison to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors. 
• This body is an independent body which deals with the appointment of the judiciary.
• In another development, the Turkish parliament approved another bill putting restrictions on internet. 
• The law would permit the telecommunication authority to close the websites for violation of privacy. 
• However, the authority would still need court’s approval within 24 hours. 
• The authority would also have to obtain a court order to access records of user activity.