§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ascertain from the Government of Turkey whether any lawful political parties are being hindered or prevented by Government action from presenting a full list of candidates for the forthcoming local and general elections. [HL1503]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We are unaware of any lawful political parties in Turkey being hindered or prevented by Government action from presenting a full list of candidates for the forthcoming local and general elections.
We are aware of the case brought by the Chief Public Prosecutor against HADEP for separatist activities. We have noted the Constitutional Court's ruling on 8 March against a separate application by the Chief Public Prosecutor for HADEP to be disqualified from the local and general elections. We continue to monitor the principal Constitutional Court case against HADEP closely.