§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 February (WA 77), 56WA whether they have received further information from the Government of Turkey, following their inquiries of 13 February concerning the disappearance of Mr Sardar Tanis and Mr Ebubekir Deniz, officials of the HADEP political party in Silopi; and, if so, in what terms. [HL91]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We have not received any further substantive information on this case since we raised it with the Turkish authorities on 13 February. We continue to monitor this and other such cases, which have worrying implications for democratic pluralism and freedom of expression in Turkey. Turkey's National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis sets out the measures which the Turkish Government are putting in place to enhance freedom of thought in Turkey; we look forward to their rapid implementation.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the disappearances of HADEP officials from Silopi, the attempted murder of Mr Selahattin Oge by security forces and the arrest on 1 and 2 April of eight HADEP members in Cizre constitute a pattern of violence and repression directed against a legal political party; whether they have made representations to the Turkish Government; and, if so, with what result. [HL92]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe remain concerned about alleged harassment of HADEP members and supporters. We regularly raise individual cases with the Turkish authorities. Such cases have worrying implications for democratic pluralism and freedom of expression in Turkey. Turkey's National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis sets out the measures which the Turkish Government are putting in place to enhance freedom of expression in Turkey; we look forward to their rapid implementation.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 23 April (WA 182), whether they received a substantive response from the Government of Turkey to their demarche of 23 March concerning alleged rape and torture of 19 women in police custody. [HL93]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe have not received a substantive response from the Turkish authorities to our demarche of 23 March concerning the case of the 18 women and one man arrested after a conference in Istanbul where they made allegations about torture and rape in police custody. We continue to follow the case closely; our Consulate-General in Istanbul attended hearings on 21 March and 21 June. It has now been adjourned to 18 October. We remain concerned at the continued incidence of torture in Turkey and the implications of this case for freedom of expression in Turkey.