As a consequence of the new bill being passed by parliament, the Turkish government will expand its control over civil-society groups on counter-terrorism grounds. The Turkish president is expected to approve the new bill Pelin Ünker © Deutsche Welle The new legislation, entitled "Preventing Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction," caused more than a few raised eyebrows in Turkey. The bill is being sharply criticized for expanding government control over civil-society groups in the name of "combating terrorism financing." It was passed by the Turkish parliament on December 27 and submitted to President Tayyip Erdogan for approval. The controversial legislation would allow the Interior Ministry to replace board members of associations with trustees as well as suspending their operations if members are being prosecuted on terrorism charges. NGOs and opposition parties see the new act as an obstacle to the running of civil-society organizations and w