10 February 1997       Doc. 7754

ADOC7754

MOTION FOR AN ORDER

on the human rights situation in Turkey

presented by Mr LEKBERG

and others

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

1.       The Parliamentary Assembly has on several occasions in recent years discussed and expressed its grave concern about developments in Turkey. In spite of repeated promises by the Turkish authorities? the human rights situation has markedly deteriorated.

2.       Turkish journalists claim, according to reliable reports, that they have been urged to soften their already cautious criticism of injustices and to tone down the complaints from European countries.

3.       Recently Professor Bakır Cağlar, who has defended the Government of Turkey in the European Commission for Human Rights in Strasbourg, announced that he had resigned from his post in despair over conditions in his home country. After four years he finds it impossible to continue representing Turkey against a background of repeated cases of human rights abuse by the Turkish authorities.

4.       Regretfully we once again conclude that, in spite of its explicit promises, Turkey continues to disregard its commitments to the Council of Europe. If the human rights situation in Turkey does not improve rapidly, it will be necesssary for the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers to take firm action.

5.       The Assembly

i.       strongly condemns Turkey's incessant violations of human rights;

ii.       notes with dismay its continued failure to honour obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe;

iii.       concludes that it is time to consider appropriate measures against Turkey;

iv.       instructs its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to prepare without delay a report on the human rights situation in Turkey.

Signed: 1

Lekberg, Sweden, SOC

Bergqvist, Sweden, SOCAndnor, Sweden, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Calner, Sweden, SOC

Wärnersson, Sweden, SOC

O. Johansson, Sweden, LDR

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Degn, Denmark, SOC

Akselsen, Norway, SOC

Ringstad, Norway, LDR

1 ¹       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People's Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: Not registered