§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have concerning the ill-treatment of members of the Turkish Peace Association who were imprisoned with convicted criminals while awaiting trial and what are the charges against them; and whether defendants, including the president of the Istanbul Bar Association, have had their heads shaved and have been forced to wear prison uniform; and what is the human rights situation.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleThe defendants in the Peace Association trial are charged under Articles 141 and 142 of the Turkish Penal Code. They are accused of attempting to found and direct a secret and illegal organisation, of engaging in racist and divisive activities and communist propaganda abroad against Turkey, of incitement to commit crime and of praising criminal activities.
Since 5th November, 21 of the defendants, including Mr. Orhan Apaydin, president of the Istanbul Bar Association, have been held in Sagmalcilar civil prison, with convicted criminals. They are wearing prison overalls and are shaven-headed in accordance with civil prison rules. Before 5th November, the defendants were held in Maltepe military prison, not with convicted criminals but in a separate building.
We continue to make the Turkish authorities aware of our concern over alleged violations of human rights.