§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are concerned at reports from Amnesty International and the Turkish Medical Association about ill treatment, particularly of political prisoners, in Turkish prisons; whether, if the reports are substantiated, such treatment contravenes any international declaration or convention of human rights to which Turkey is a signatory; and, if so, what representations they are making to Turkey.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We are concerned about the reported treatment of prisoners in Turkey. We note, however, that the Turkish Government have recently made significant improvements to prison conditions and that a parliamentary commission will investigate further. We will continue to urge the Turkish Government to honour their international obligations on human rights, including the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.