Doc. 8112

5 May 1998

The fate of the "Manisa children" in Turkey

Written Question No. 377

by Mr Victor Ruffy, Switzerland, Socialist Group

      Mr Ruffy,

Observing that for some time now, Turkish as well as international media have echoed serious concern over the fate of the young people known as the "Manisa Children" in Turkey ;

Observing that this group consists of 14 persons, some under-age at the material time, who were arrested in 1995 on charges of involvement with a subversive organisation and received prison sentences of up to 12 years and that during their pre-trial detention, they underwent torture and ill-treatment according to a number of witness statements ;

Noting that ten police officers were subsequently charged but acquitted, that an appeal against the acquittal has been lodged and that the young people concerned have won appeals against their conviction but fresh proceedings are in hand for some of them ;

      To ask the Committee of Ministers,

If it is aware of these facts, and what approaches to the Turkish Government it envisages to ensure that proper consideration is given to anxieties regarding the independence of the courts in this case, to guarantees of impartial, fair and equitable proceedings, to conditions of detention and to the liability of persons committing violations of the European Convention on Human Rights ; concern in this matter is deeper still because it involves young people, whose protection was declared a priority of Council of Europe intergovernmental co-operation at the 2nd Summit of Heads of State and Government of our member countries in October 1997 in Strasbourg;

What action it contemplates in order to have assistance rendered to these victims of ill-treatment and torture, whether acquitted or awaiting another trial, who could today be gravely traumatised by the violence which they have undergone.

Signed:

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC