§ Lord Hyltonasked her Majesty's Government:
Whether there have been any improvements as regards freedom of expression and whether human rights violations have decreased in Turkey since conclusion of the Customs Union with the European Union.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThere have been no legal or constitutional amendments relevant to freedom of expression in Turkey since October last year. Reports of human rights violations persist. We have noted the statements by the Turkish Prime Minister indicating his intention to pass wide-ranging human rights reforms.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What efforts are being made, through the Council of Europe or by other means, to verify compliance by Turkey with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyIndividuals who allege that their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights have been violated by Turkey can petition the Commission directly. There is an increasing number of such complaints. On a bilateral basis, we regularly urge the Turkish authorities to comply with their human rights obligations. Internationally, the UK and our EU partners express concern over Turkey's performance, most recently at the UN Human Rights Commission.