§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discuss with the Government of Turkey fully adequate protection for the Suryiani (Syrian Orthodox) minority of some 5,000 persons living in south-east Turkey; and whether they will draw their plight to the attention of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) High Commissioner for Minorities and of any other relevant authorities.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe take a close interest in the Christian communities in Turkey in the context of our wider concerns on human rights. Our Ambassador in Ankara has discussed the concerns of the Suryiani community with the Turkish authorities and stressed that it is their duty to investigate and stamp our cases of harassment and kidnapping. The human rights situation in Turkey, including the position of minorities, is expected to be discussed at the session of the UN Commission for Human Rights under way in Geneva. We shall continue to consider actively with other OSCE members how the organisation can help bring about improvements in the human rights situation in Turkey.