On the human rights situation of the Kurds in Turkey

[Documents/Docheader.htm]
On the human rights situation of the Kurds in Turkey

Doc. 10242
29 June 2004

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Einarsson and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.         On 22 June 2004, the Assembly, satisfied with the reforms adopted by the Turkish authorities over the last three years and by the implementation of important decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, decided to close the monitoring procedure which had been underway since 1996 and to pursue post-monitoring dialogue with the Turkish authorities on a series of issues, as well as on any further matter that might arise in connection with Turkey’s obligations as a Council of Europe member state.

2.         Amongst other things, the Assembly welcomed the lifting of the State of emergency in the south-eastern provinces and the release of thousands of Kurds, whilst regretting that Turkey had still not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities or the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

3.         The undersigned consider that the points mentioned above clearly show the willingness of Turkey to comply with the Copenhagen criteria, and so to lift obstacles to the opening of negotiations with the European Union with a view to its accession. This progress is to be welcomed.

4.         However, they also consider that there are still problems relating to the human rights of the Kurds, with hundreds still in detention and continuing allegations of torture and degrading treatment, and the persistent limitations to the freedom of expression and to access to education in the Kurdish language. In addition, the economic and social situation faced by Kurds in the south-eastern region remains dire.

5.         This state of affairs and the potential for insecurity which it presents are incompatible with full integration into Europe.

6.         Accordingly the undersigned call on the Turkish authorities:

to grant to the almost ten million Kurds living in Turkey all the rights contained in the Framework Convention on the Protection of Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;

to take all the necessary measures to develop the economy of the south-eastern region.

Signed [1]:
EINARSSON Mats, Sweden, UEL
AHLQVIST Birgitta, Sweden SOC
BARTUMEU CASSANY Jaume, Andorra, SOC
BATET LAMA�A Meritxell, Spain, SOC
CHRISTODOULIDES Doros, Cyprus, UEL
CILEVICS Boriss, Latvia, SOC
GREBENNIKOV Valery, Russia, EDG
HOLOVATY Serhiy, Ukraine, LDR
KUCHEIDA Jean-Pierre, France, SOC
LLOYD Tony, United Kingdom, SOC
MARTY Dick, Switzerland, LDR
McNAMARA Kevin, United Kingdom, SOC
PEHRSON Johan, Sweden, LDR
VERMOT-MANGOLD Ruth-Gaby, Switzerland, SOC
ŽIŽIC Zoran, Serbia and Montenegro, SOC

[1]

SOC
EPP
EDG
LDR
UEL
NR

Socialist Group
Group of the European People’s Party
European Democratic Group
Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group
Group of the Unified European Left
Not registered in a group