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Turkey’s parliament overwhelmingly passed a security law Friday to broaden police powers and allow the use of firearms against demonstrators, deepening fears of crackdowns on dissent ahead of parliamentary elections, Reuters reported.

The legislation comes at a sensitive time, given difficult talks to end three decades of Kurdish insurgency. The Kurds say the security law could be used to target them.

Parliament also passed a law that would allow the government to restrict access to websites deemed to threaten lives, public order or people’s freedom.

Ankara has said its reforms bring police powers into line with those of Europe, although this is disputed by rights groups. Critics say freedom of speech is threatened by the AK Party founded by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) said it would launch a constitutional court challenge to the security law before the June 7 elections.

The legislation gives police greater power for searches, bans the carrying of fireworks, marbles and slingshots and stipulates up to five years in prison for those who cover their faces at some protests.