Emma Watson laughs off Turkish politician's claims that women shouldn't laugh in public

LONDON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Emma Watson joined a protest against Turkey's deputy prime minister after the politician urged Turkish women to avoid laughing in public.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the end of Ramadan, Bulent Arinc reminded Turks that women should be careful to "know what is haram and not haram."

"She will not laugh out loud in public. She will not be inviting in her attitudes and will protect her chasteness," he said.

Arinc's comments ignited a protest on social media about Turkish women's right to laugh. Participants have been using the hashtag #direnkahkaha, which roughly translates to "resist the laughter," to protest his remarks.

Watson, who was recently named a United Nations women's goodwill ambassador, joined the cyber protest Friday by tweeting a picture of herself laughing on the street.

The day after the controversial remarks were made, Arinc explained that he did not mean to single out women with his speech, claiming his comments were also meant for men.

"There are some artists who now laugh artificially and send me their photos. Real laughs relieve a person, but these are artificial ones. Those who go for a vacation with their lovers while leaving their husbands behind and can't wait to climb poles when they see one," he said in his apology.