HL Deb 21 April 1998 vol 588 c201WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are making representations to the Government of Turkey about the charges brought against the President and six members of the Executive Committee of the HADEP party (the People's Democracy) under Article 168(1) of the Turkish Penal Code and the sentence of 22½ years' imprisonment which has been requested by the prosecutor; and the similar charges against nine directors of HADEP's Istanbul branch. [HL1466]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Further to the oral Answer I gave the noble Lord on 5 March 1998 (H.L. Deb., col. 1299), I can confirm that the British Embassy in Ankara has raised the case of the seven directors of HADEP (People's Democracy Party) in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expressed our concern at their continued detention.

We understand that the directors of the Istanbul branch of HADEP arrested in the first week of April have all been released.