HC Deb 05 December 1997 vol 302 c370W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to persuade the Turkish authorities to release imprisoned Kurdish members of parliament. [18744]

Mr. Doug Henderson

We have made a number of representations to the Turkish government about the imprisonment of the four Kurdish former DEP (Democracy Party) Members of Parliament. We have repeatedly stressed that the conviction of elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their opinions can only damage Turkey's international standing.

We have been encouraged by recent reports, from Turkey that imply that one of the MP's, Ms Leyla Zana, may soon be released on health grounds.