WRITTEN QUESTION P-1500/01

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Hunger strike by prisoners in Turkey

Political prisoners held in Turkish jails have been on hunger strike for 180 days in protest at the Turkish Government's plans to introduce new, type-F cells, which will totally isolate the political prisoners.

To date, 20 individuals have lost their lives, but in spite of this the Turkish Government has not changed its position.

How many more lives must be lost before the Council decides to take effective measures against this country which is seeking accession to the European Union?

I would also point out that my written question to the Council, No 4111/00 of 18 December 2000, with exactly the same content as the above, remains unanswered to date, whereas according to Parliament's current Rules of Procedure, in particular Rule 44(6) thereof, it should have been answered within six weeks.

I have ascertained from inquiries within Parliament that despite repeated (three) reminders, the Council has not seen fit to reply.

Such conduct is an affront to Parliament's work, flagrantly compromises the Council, creates serious misgivings about its objectiveness, and prompts the thought that there is also a problem with democracy elsewhere apart from in Turkey.

Does the Council think that Parliament has no role to play and, if so, would it not be more honest to say so and thereby avoid pointless correspondence?

Reply

(21 November 2001)

Regarding the question of delay in issuing the answer of the Council to the questions raised by the Honourable Members, the Council recalls the answer it has already given, in particular on the occasion of questions E-1299/00, E-1300/00, P-1541/00.

The Council deeply regrets that the hunger strikes in Turkey are still leading to loss of life. The Council has repeatedly pressed the Turkish authorities to take all appropriate measures to avoid further deaths and to follow the recommendations of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture through changes in the law and practical measures.

The Council notes that the Turkish Government has already chosen to cooperate with the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which has to date made four visits to Turkey in connection with the hunger strikes. Changes to the law have come into force or will shortly do so, including some aiming to reduce the isolation of prisoners. The Council urges the Turkish Government to implement the new laws speedily and in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, since Turkey's compliance with the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture constitutes a short-term priority of the Partnership Agreement.

The Council also recalls that the Accession Partnership for Turkey, adopted by the Council on 8 March 2001, includes prison reform as a medium-term priority.

The Council and the Member States will continue to raise the issue with the Turkish Government in the framework of the enhanced political dialogue, the most recent occasion being the meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council which took place on 26 June 2001. In addition, the Council and Member States use their contacts with Turkish partners, including the Turkish Ministers of the Interior and of Justice, in Ankara and elsewhere to make their concerns about the hunger strikes clear.

The Council welcomes the recent visit to Ankara by members of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee as an important contribution to the joint efforts by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to prompt the Turkish Government to persevere with political reforms and to do whatever is necessary to bring the hunger strikes to an end.