§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish government as to the continuing imprisonment of elected members of the Turkish National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [23801]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe have raised the imprisonment of the four former Democracy Party (DEP) MPs with the Turkish government on a number of occasions. We have made it clear to the Turkish authorities that the imprisonment of democratically elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their views can only damage Turkey internationally.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on compliance by Turkey with judgments under international conventions in respect of human rights. [23767]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonTurkey is a State Party to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and is therefore under an obligation to comply with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Responsibility for supervising the execution of the Court's judgments lies with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. We welcome the undertaking given by the Government of Turkey that they will honour their obligations in respect of the Convention and the judgments of the Court.