§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the issue of violence against women in Turkey was raised in the UK/Turkey Human Rights Dialogue meeting on 15 July; and if he will make a statement. [185987]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe issue of violence against women in Turkey was raised at the fourth UK/Turkey Human Rights Dialogue on 15 July. The UK side welcomed the recent progress made by Turkey on women's rights, including on revisions made to the draft Turkish Penal Code, and the constitutional amendment asserting gender equality signed by the President in May. We encouraged them to lake further steps to improve the situation of women in Turkey including through the provision of shelters, further training of the judiciary in adopting sentences commensurate with the gravity of the offence, and training of the police and gendarme in how to respond immediately and effectively to violence against women. The Turkish delegation undertook to consider the points raised.