HL Deb 30 July 1998 vol 592 c223WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Government of Turkey—(a) allegations that police officers sexually abused and tortured five children from the Haci Husrev district of Istanbul, while they were held in custody for three days in May or June; and (b) the events in a village near Kulp in the region of Diyarbakir, depopulated by security forces and then made uninhabitable in June. [HL3016]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We are concerned at recent reports suggesting that torture, including the use of sexual abuse, of five children occurred during their detention in police custody in the Haji Husrev area of Istanbul. We understand that appeals have been lodged with the relevant public prosecutor to investigate these reports. The British Embassy is following this issue closely, and will be discussing it with the relevant Turkish authorities.

We are unable to confirm whether any villages near Kulp were depopulated by security forces in June.