HL Deb 04 March 1988 vol 494 cc419-20WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in view of the human rights record of the Turkish Government they will refuse permission for the export of armoured personnel carriers to that country.

Lord Trefgarne

No. We have frequently expressed to the Turkish Government our concern about allegations of abuse of human rights. We believe that the situation has improved since Mr. Ozal's government came to power in 1983. In particular, we welcome their signature earlier this year of the European and United Nations Conventions on Torture, which we hope the Turkish Grand National Assembly will soon ratify.