§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discuss with the Government of Turkey the recent arrests of the elected mayors of Diyarbakir, Bingol and Siirt and ascertain their current situation. [HL1232]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe EU troika made adémarche in Ankara on 24 February to register our concern at the arrest of the three HADEP mayors and to ask for more detailed information on the reasons for the arrests. The mayors have now been released and reinstated to their posts pending trial. We welcome this development and will continue to monitor closely their situation.