18 November 1992

Doc. 6722

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION

on the fight against the PKK's terrorism in Europe

presented by Mr DINÇERLER and others

      The Assembly,

1.       Considering that South-Eastern Turkey is afflicted with international terrorism perpetrated by the PKK (Marxist-Leninist Kurdish Workers' Party) which has caused over 5,000 fatalities since 1984;

2.       Having regard to the tendency of PKK in recent months to step up its acts of terrorism so as to claim numerous victims among the defenceless civil population, whether of Turkish or Kurdish origin, by burning mosques, homes and vehicles, wiping out entire villages and conducting mass executions in which neither women nor children are spared;

3.       Considering that, as well as constituting a destabilising factor in the region, this terrorism infringes the most fundamental right of Turkish citizens, namely the right to life;

4.       Aware that the PKK terrorism forms a major obstacle to the economic and social development of South-Eastern Anatolia;

5.       Noting that since 1985 PKK has perpetrated hundreds of criminal offences in various European countries, including murders of defectors, interfactional killings and intimidation;

6.       Also noting that PKK uses drug trafficking and extortion from Turkish citizens resident in Europe as a means to finance its activities;

7.       Recalling its Recommendations 1024 (1986) and 1170 (1991) and Resolution 863 (1986); Resolution 748 (1992) and the relevant provisions of the texts adopted at the last CSCE Summit concerning effective co-operation for the suppression of terrorism;

8.       Bearing in mind Recommendation 1199 (1992) on the fight against international terrorism in Europe which was adopted by the Standing Committee on 5 November 1992 and calls for close co-operation among the Council of Europe member states throughout the European continent,

9.       Invites all Council of Europe member states to abide by their international undertakings including those recently entered into in the CSCE framework, in order to resist the evil of terrorism;

10.       In this context, appeals for strong condemnation by Council of Europe member states of the violence and criminal acts which the PKK has perpetrated in Turkey and in Europe;

11.       Recommends the Committee of Ministers to urge the member governments of the Council of Europe to keep under close surveillance the activities of various front organisations that operate in Europe under the guidance of terrorist organisations like PKK, disguised as socio-cultural associations but which assist and provide the financial support indispensable for PKK's survival and to offer the Turkish Government their assistance in combatting this organisation.

Signed:       Dinçerler, Talay, Demiralp, Maruflu, Akarçali, Berg, Finsberg, Güner, Parisi, Amaral, Kirkhill, Hågard.