HC Deb 30 November 1988 vol 142 c301W
59. Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey about torture and human rights.

77. Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of Amnesty International's recent report on alleged human rights violations in Turkey, Her Majesty's Government will urge the Turkish Government to take positive steps to prevent torture.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. and learned Friend raised the subject of human rights with the Turkish Foreign Minister during his talks with him in July. More recently, my officials have discussed the issue with the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara and the Turkish embassy here in London. We are assured that allegations contained in the recent Amnesty International report are being investigated by the Turkish Government. We continue to urge the Turkish Government to maintain the improvement in human rights there has been in recent years and to respect and abide by the terms of the United Nations and European conventions against torture, signed and ratified by Turkey earlier this year.

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