HC Deb 19 April 1996 vol 275 c631W
Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to the UN Commission on Human Rights in respect of human rights in Turkey. [25447]

Mr. David Davis

We have contributed to the presidency statement at the UN Commission on Human Rights which will convey to the Turkish Government the depth of our continuing concern about a number of human rights issues in Turkey.

Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has recently received from independent human rights organisations regarding human rights violations in Turkey. [25448]

Mr. Davis

We receive regular reports from Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations, both in the UK and elsewhere, working in the field of human rights. Many of these organisations make representations to us on the situation in Turkey.

Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Turkey's human rights record. [25446]

Mr. Davis

We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Turkey. During 1995, there were some welcome reforms, but much remains to be done. We are encouraging the Turkish Government to sustain progress, in accordance with the international agreements to which they are a signatory.