HL Deb 06 July 1999 vol 603 cc83-4WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that protection under the Treaty of Lausanne should be widened to include any discrimination in Turkey against members of the Alevi sect and other minorities not specifically mentioned in the Treaty. [HL3238]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We do not consider that there is any scope for widening the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 in the manner proposed.

Reopening the treaty, which constitutes the peace settlement between Turkey and the Allied Powers after the First World War, would require the co-operation and approval of all signatories to that treaty, including Turkey.