HL Deb 11 November 1998 vol 594 c100WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Government of Turkey the sentences of 10 months' imprisonment on the Mayor of Istanbul and Mr. Akin Birdal, President of the Turkish Human Rights Association, under Article 312 of the Penal Code, following speeches made by them. [HL3675]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government have raised the prison sentences imposed on the Mayor of Istanbul and the President of the Turkish Human Rights Association, Mr. Akin Birdal, with the Turkish authorities bilaterally on a number of occasions. On 29 October, the Austrian Presidency of the EU expressed the concern of all EU member states at the implications of the sentence on Mr. Birdal for freedom of expression in Turkey.