HL Deb 29 November 1999 vol 607 cc22-3WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will discuss the following matters with the Government of Turkey in its capacity as a NATO member and European Union applicant:

  1. (a) the killing by soldiers of 12 prisoners in Ulncanlar Prison, Ankara, on 26 September,
  2. (b) the killing in Adana of Mr Murat Bektas and Mr Erdinc Aslan and the wounding of Mr Mustafa Koklu, by police on 5 October;
  3. (c) the sentences imposed on defendants aged 15 to 18, in early November by Adana State Security Court, ranging up to 16⅔ years of imprisonment; and whether they will ask what rights of appeal these young people have. [HL5]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The British Embassy in Ankara has been following these cases closely. I can confirm that it will be raising the deaths of 10 prisoners in Ulncanlar Prison in September and the deaths of Mr Bektas and Mr Asian with the Turkish Government. I assume that the noble Lord is referring to the two teenage girls in Iskenderun. The Embassy will also be raising this case.

In our discussions with the Turkish Government, we regularly raise the issue of human rights. We also advise that Turkey's application for EU membership will be judged against the criteria agreed at the Copenhagen summit in 1993, including full respect for human rights. We continue to give prominence to human rights both in our bilateral relationship with Turkey and in contacts with our EU partners.