B4-0223/99

Resolution on the arrest of Mr Öcalan and the need for a political solution to the Kurdish question

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey and the Kurdish question,

- having regard to the meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee on 18-19 February 1999,

- having regard to the Council statement of 22 February 1999,

A. whereas the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was returned to Turkey on 15 February 1999 where he was formally arrested and charged with treason on 23 February,

B. whereas the capture of Mr Öcalan has sparked many protests by Kurds in European cities which have resulted in the occupation of embassies, violent acts, deaths, hostage-taking and considerable destruction,

C. whereas three Kurdish women with European passports are at the Greek embassy in Nairobi and do not have any guarantee that they will be safely repatriated to a Union Member State,

D. recalling that Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe and a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention against Torture, and underlining that one of the obligations for Turkey as a Member of the Council of Europe is the non-use of the death penalty,

E. noting that Prime Minister Ecevit has made assurances that the trial of Mr Öcalan would comply with the principles of the Council of Europe,

F. whereas all applicant States to the EU must fulfil the Copenhagen criteria which require the achievement of 'stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and promotion of minorities¨,

G. regretting that the EU and its Member States were unable to reach a common position on the Öcalan case in time,

1. Is convinced that events in recent days have demonstrated that the Kurdish question in Turkey has an international dimension with important implications for peace, security and stability in Europe, requiring the EU and its Member States to take their responsibilities in developing a common approach;

2. Condemns strongly any acts of violence, the taking of hostages and the invasions of Embassies and strongly demands that the PKK and other Kurdish organisations respect legal and public order in EU Member States;

3. Calls on the Turkish authorities to show their commitment to a political solution to the Kurdish question and on Kurdish organisations to declare their support for and commitment to a political solution;

On the trial of Mr Öcalan

4. Expects the Turkish authorities to provide guarantees for the humanitarian treatment of Mr Öcalan and to ensure that a public and fair trial is held in accordance with Turkey's obligations under European and international law;

5. In this context, invites the Turkish authorities to make provisions for the admission of international observers to the trial and to reconsider allowing the International Committee of the Red Cross to verify humanitarian conditions in the prison and the health of the prisoner;

6. Urges the Council, the governments of the Member States and the Kenyan authorities to do their utmost to ensure that the three Kurdish women at the Greek embassy in Nairobi are repatriated in accordance with the rules of international law;

7. Expects Mr Öcalan to be able to freely choose his lawyers from those eligible to practice in Turkey;

8. Underlines its concern that a State Security Court is being used to try Mr Öcalan, considering that the involvement of military judges compromises the independence of the process;

9. Reiterates its firm opposition to the use of the death penalty;

On the future of the Kurds in Turkey

10. Recalls its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms;

11. Urges the Council and the Member States to take all measures necessary to assist in the promotion of a political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey;

12. Believes that such a solution would have to involve the following:

- respect for Turkey's territorial integrity

- democratisation and the strengthening of civil society

- recognition and guarantees of the rights of the Kurds (civil, political, educational and cultural) within Turkey's borders

- economic and social development in the region

13. Urges the Turkish authorities to allow the free participation in the April elections of all existing democratic political parties, including HADEP, and to stop the harassment and imprisonment of their leaders and activists;

14. Invites all of the political parties in Turkey to take a position on the Kurdish question for the April elections which would promote an end to the violent conflict and a political solution to the conditions which gave rise to it;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Turkish Government, the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the International Committee of the Red Cross.