HL Deb 19 December 1983 vol 446 c579WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why, as the North Atlantic Treaty provides that the parties shall strengthen their free institutions, Turkey has been allowed to remain in membership without free institutions, and whether all members of the Turkish Peace Association imprisoned by military tribunal have now been released and are free to advocate in Turkey policies similar to those pursued by the Labour Party, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the World Disarmament Campaign and the United Nations Association in this country and by similar organisations in other NATO countries.

Baroness Young

Turkey is a valued member of the NATO Alliance. We welcome the elections which took place on 6th November and the formation of a civilian Government which is currently assuming office. We hope that the new Government will continue to move Turkey towards a fully democratic system, thus strengthening free institutions there.

The members of the Turkish Peace Association convicted and imprisoned on 14th November have not been released. All have lodged appeals against the verdicts.