Turkey: Attacks on HADEP Officials

HL Deb 16 December 1998 vol 595 cc145-6WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the Turkish Government if (a) Mr. Hami Cakir and (b) Mr. Metin Yurtsever have died in police custody in Turkey; if so, whether those responsible will be brought to justice; and what information they have of recent violent attacks by the MHP (Grey Wolves) party and its Youth Wing on members of the HADEP (People's Democracy party). [HL256]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We understand that the deaths of Hami Cakir and Metin Yurtsever occurred while in police custody in Turkey. Officials from HADEP (People's Democracy Party) have indicated that they do not hold the Turkish police directly responsible for their deaths. It is believed that both men died as a result of injuries inflicted by extreme nationalist demonstrators at HADEP offices. We understand that members of the so-called "Grey Wolves" may have been responsible for a number of these violent attacks.

We raised our concerns over the recent attacks on HADEP officials and offices during discussions with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 7 December.