§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the conduct of the Ocalan trial, with particular reference to international standards; and if he will make a statement. [91907]
§ Ms QuinWe are aware of the observations of 21 June by members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly that the conduct of the trial was correct and in accordance with the applicable Turkish law. We are also aware of the concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to the treatment of Mr. Ocalan's lawyers. We understand that an appeal is now pending. It is in the first place for the Appeal Court to review the outcome of the trial. We will continue to monitor closely the appeal proceedings.
We have made clear to the Turkish authorities the importance we attach to all proceedings being transparent and conducted in accordance with due process. We have also reiterated on numerous occasions our opposition as a matter of principle to the use of the death penalty.