§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of how many Kurdish journalists and Kurds involved in the distribution of newspapers he has received representations that they have been unlawfully killed in the last three years.
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§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe are aware of such unexplained killings, but have not received representations about specific cases. We hope that the Turkish authorities will vigorously investigate these crimes so that those responsible can be brought before the courts.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the use of the anti-terror department against elected members of the pro-Kurdish Democracy party in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe understand that Democracy party deputies were detained by anti-terrorist police after the National Assembly voted to remove their parliamentary immunities following a request by the public prosecutor that they be tried for alleged offences related to terrorism. The Turkish Prime Minister has said she will investigate allegations that the police acted improperly. We shall continue to make clear to the Turkish authorities the importance we attach to their permitting the non-violent expression of political beliefs.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to supplies of food and medical supplies to Kurdish areas of Turkey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe have no information about this, which is a matter for the Turkish authorities.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Council of Ministers has held recently on allegations of abuse of the human rights of Kurds committed by Turkey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Council of Ministers has not recently discussed allegations of human rights abuse in Turkey. European Union Foreign Ministers raised human rights with the Turkish Foreign Minister on 8 November 1993. At the Human Rights Commission in Geneva recently the European Union expressed concern at the situation in Turkey. I stressed our concerns when I met the Turkish Minister for Human Rights in London earlier this month.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have been held in the Council of Europe regarding the possibility of the expulsion of Turkey from that body, in respect of abuse of human rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Council of Europe regularly discusses human rights in a number of countries including Turkey. There has been no discussion of Turkey's expulsion.