HL Deb 20 January 1997 vol 577 c40WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have noted the strength of the demonstrations in Ankara on 14th December 1996 and 5th January 1997 demanding justice, democracy and freedom for Turkey, and what effect this has had on their policy towards that country.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We are aware that a total of over 110,000 people attended the Confederation of Public Workers Unions demonstration on 14th December and the pro-democracy rally on 5th January. The demonstrators described their main grievances as state corruption, low income levels and human rights abuses. We will continue to raise our concerns about a range of human rights issues with the Turkish authorities.