HL Deb 18 July 1990 vol 521 cc856-8

2.54 p.m.

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking together with the European Community, the Council of Europe and the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe to end the state of emergency in eleven provinces of eastern Turkey and to uphold the European Convention on Human Rights and the conventions against torture.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, a state of emergency was introduced in south-east Turkey in April following an upsurge of terrorist activity. We hope that it will be possible to lift it quickly. In the interval, Turkey is aware of our expectation that she should abide by the human rights conventions to which she is a party.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is it not a fact that there is compelling evidence of widespread and possibly systematic use of torture, of deportations and of the existence of death squads? Do not these matters make a mockery of signing international conventions?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, in regard to torture, Turkey is a member of the United Nations conventions against torture. We look to her to abide by her obligations. There are, as the noble Lord said, still worrying reports but the Turkish authorities emphasise their determination to crack down on abuses. The Turkish courts have investigated police and army officers and in several cases found them guilty of mistreating villagers.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, against the background of Turkey's appalling record on human rights, will the noble Lord confirm that there is no question whatsoever that the Government would support Turkey's entry into the European Community?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, that is not a question for us alone. The Council of Ministers, when considering the Commission's opinion, will take into account all relevant factors, including Turkey's human rights record.

Lord Bethell

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that in parts of Turkey political dissidents are frequently arrested, detained for a few days, beaten up, tortured and then released without charge as a deterrent to their political activity? Does he share my judgment that Turkey has probably the worst human rights record of any European country now, with the possible exception of Albania? Since Turkey is our ally should we not urgently try to do something about it?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, we regard this as an important issue. Turkey has made progress in recent years. It is essential that she respects and abides by the terms of international human rights agreements of which she is a signatory. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister most recently discussed this issue with the Turkish president during their meeting at Gallipoli on 25th April, and my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary with the Turkish Under-Secretary on 20th June. The Turkish Government have reaffirmed their determination to solve the remaining problems but the ultimate test must be their performance, not their statements of intent.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

My Lords, the noble Lord said that it was not a matter for the Government as to whether Turkey should be allowed membership of the EC. But is it not a fact that the admittance of new members needs a unanimous decision? Therefore, could not the Government veto the admission of Turkey to the EC if they so wished?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I said in fact that it was not a question for us alone. It is a question for the Council of Ministers when considering the Commission's opinion. We shall also take into account Turkey's human rights record.

Lord Parry

My Lords, does the Minister not admit that the decision of an independent nation is for that nation alone?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am sorry but I did not catch the first part of the noble Lord's question.

Lord Parry

My Lords, I asked whether the Minister might not admit that the decision of an independent nation is for that nation alone.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

Yes, my Lords.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, has the Minister received any information from humanitarian agencies or NGOs about the plight of the Kurdish refugees from Iraq in the Turkish camps? How much humanitarian aid is being sent to those camps?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, we have received reports of Iraqi Kurds deported by Turkey to Iran. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has no reason to believe that they have been ill-treated since they arrived in Iran. The noble Baroness asked about aid to the camps. We have contributed substantially to the various projects in hand.

Lord Kirkhill

My Lords, can the noble Lord confirm that the human rights committee of the Council of Europe has constantly considered this problem? It monitors the situation almost on a monthly basis and continues to discuss with the Turkish Government the difficulties which constantly arise.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I hope that that is correct. The Council of Europe is looking into these matters.