§ 3.33 p.m.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they and the European Union are making to Turkey about the arrest and detention of nine leading members of the HADEP (People's Democratic) political party.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, we have learnt with concern of the arrest and charging of seven directors of HADEP (People's Democracy Party) on 16th February. The British embassy in Ankara is in contact with the Turkish Human Rights Association to establish what developments there have been in the case. Officials from the embassy will raise this case with the Turkish authorities during talks next week. We are not aware of any representations made by other EU missions on this issue.
We regret this action taken by the Turkish authorities and urge them to abide by their international undertakings to uphold freedom of expression and democratic pluralism. We believe that the prosecution of politicians for the non-violent expression of their views is at odds with Turkey's international obligations, and that such actions will damage Turkey's international standing.
§ Lord HyltonMy Lords, I thank the Minister for her helpful reply. Can she confirm that the Turkish Government have closed down four political parties in recent years? Now a fifth is under attack. Will steps be taken by this Government to make it absolutely clear to Turkey that the freedoms mentioned by the Minister are a pre-condition of membership of all European institutions?
Lord Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, sadly, I can indeed confirm that the Turkish authorities have closed down a number of political parties in the recent past—most notably, the Democracy Party (the DEP) in 1994 and the Refah or Welfare Party, earlier this year. We regret that. We expect Turkey to act in accordance with its international obligations and to strengthen its democratic institutions.
The noble Lord raises the issue of preconditions for membership of European institutions. We make it clear to Turkey at all times that its record on freedom of expression is one of the many factors that will have to be taken into account in the development of the Turkey/EU relationship. My right honourable and honourable friends have raised these issues with the Turkish Government on no fewer than seven occasions since September last year.
§ Baroness Williams of CrosbyMy Lords, will the Minister accept that many of us agree very strongly with the way in which she put the position in her Answer today? Many of us welcome the growing part that Turkey plays in central Asia. However, will the Minister further accept that all of us would wish her to put as strongly as possible to Turkey the absolute conditionality that human rights and civil liberties impose upon any would-be member of the European Union, and that Turkey has to understand that before the question of relations can be taken any further?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, the Luxembourg Council meeting made the points to the Turkish authorities that the noble Baroness puts so eloquently and trenchantly. We continue to urge the Turkish Government to distinguish between the peaceful campaigning of political parties and terrorism.
§ Lord ReaMy Lords, will the Government consider joining Greece in delaying the £260 million that is due to Turkey under the European Customs Union agreement at least until there is evidence that its human rights record is improving in the respects about which we have heard?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, these are matters that would be considered through the usual channels in the European Union. The Government are aware of the point that the noble Lord raises; it is one that will have to be considered during our presidency.
§ Lord AveburyMy Lords, will the noble Baroness ensure that in the statement which I hope is being drafted for presentation by the United Kingdom in its presidency of the European Union at the UN Human Rights Commission—which is to meet in Geneva on 16th March—reference will be made not only to these arrests but to the imprisonment of Leyla Zana and her colleagues from the predecessor in title of the HADEP; the banning of the Refah Party which she mentioned; and the constant harassment and intimidation of all legal Kurdish parties? These actions have made it impossible for them to function and have driven so many into the arms of the PKK.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, as I said, Her Majesty's Government continue to make representations on a wide range of different issues. The noble Lord mentions the case of Leyla Zana, which has been raised with the Turkish Government. The case has been raised of the noble Lord's own banning in Turkey, as indeed that of Mr. Jonathan Sugden. I regret to say that, following our previous discussion on this matter, we received a letter stating that the bans are still in place. We continue to make representations on these points, both bilaterally and through the presidency.