HL Deb 07 November 2002 vol 640 cc156-7WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will raise with the European Union the issue of education in the Kurdish language for pupils in state schools and for university students in those parts of Turkey where there is a strong demand. [HL6177]

The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean):

We welcome the recent package of reforms passed by the Turkish Parliament, which permits the teaching of Kurdish in private courses.

The Commission's 2002 regular report notes that a number of court cases against students who had petitioned for optional Kurdish courses at university level were dropped. Some legal obstacles remain, however, to public education in languages spoken in Turkey other than Turkish, including Kurdish. We discuss with our EU partners on a regular basis these and all other issues with a bearing on Turkey's EU candidature.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Turkish Government:

(a) the implementation of recently announced improvements in the treatment of suspects after arrest; and,

(b) the removal from office of the Mayor of the city of Van, who alleges that he was not allowed to present his defence. [HL6178]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

The implementation of improvements in the treatment of suspects after arrest was discussed in general terms between my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and the Turkish Foreign Minister during the latter's visit to London on 24 September. It is a theme of our discussions about Turkey with our EU partners. The second session of the formal human rights dialogue, launched in June, between officials from the UK and Turkey will take place this winter. The implementation of Turkey's recent reforms is expected to be on the agenda.

We are aware of the case of Sabahattin Ozarslaner, who was elected Mayor of Van in 1999 from the Peoples' Democracy Party. We are monitoring developments closely and intend to discuss this case with the Turkish authorities at the next session of the human rights dialogue.