HC Deb 06 March 1995 vol 256 c4W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent evaluation Her Majesty's Government have conducted in respect of the human rights situation in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Davis

Turkey's human rights performance has long given cause for concern. We monitor the situation closely and take every opportunity to express our concerns to the Turkish authorities and to point out the need for reform.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received in the last three years from Kurdish groups situated in the United Kingdom regarding the position of Kurds living in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Davis

We have received numerous representations in the last three years from Kurdish groups situated in the United Kingdom regarding the position of Kurds living in Turkey. We take every opportunity to make clear to the Turkish authorities our concern at the human rights abuses arising from the conflict in south-east Turkey.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received about the position of Kurds living in Turkey in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Davis

We have received numerous representations in the last three years about the position of Kurds living in Turkey. We take every opportunity to make known to the Turkish authorities our concern at the human rights abuses arising from the conflict in south-east Turkey.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he proposes to make to the Turkish authorities regarding the recent failure of six Kurdish Members of Parliament to have their appeal upheld; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Davis

The Kurdish Members of Parliament exercised their right to appeal against the sentences imposed on them in Ankara last December. We understand no date has yet been set for a further hearing.