HC Deb 21 July 2004 vol 424 c344W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were raised at the UK/Turkey Human Rights Dialogue meeting on 15th July; and what progress has been made on these issues. [185438]

Mr. MacShane

At the fourth UK/Turkey Human Rights Dialogue on 15 July the following issues were raised: Turkey's bid to open accession negotiations with the European Union; fundamental freedoms, including of expression, religion, demonstration, and association; torture and ill treatment; women's rights; functioning of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies; the situation in the Southeast and cultural rights; measures taken within the UK to combat terrorism; implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments; co-operation in international organisations; and bilateral project assistance. In addition, we passed a list of specific cases of concern to the Turkish delegation.

The UK side congratulated the Turkish side for the enormous progress made by Turkey and encouraged them to maintain the momentum of reform, indicating the areas where we saw a need for further progress. The Turkish delegation undertook to consider the points raised.

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