WRITTEN QUESTION E-2803/00 by Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Torture in Turkish prisons.
Date: 2000-09-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, cruel and degrading treatment, human rights, penal institution, prison system, prisoner, torture

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/101

(2001/C 136 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2803/00

by Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Torture in Turkish prisons

The increasingly critical situation in Turkish prisons at the present time is alarming. In recent months,
revolts and torture have been the order of the day. Prisoners are protesting above all against the Turkish
legal authorities(cid:146) plans to build isolation cells (F-type cells) along German lines.

The most recent example of the situation was the torture and massacre which took place on 5 July 2000
when inmates revolted at the Burdur prison. Since prisoners have long been tortured during journeys to
and from court, the inmates at Burdur attempted to prevent 11 prisoners being brought to court as
witnesses on 5 July. The Turkish military police responded with unimaginable cruelty and savageness. One
prisoner, for example, had an arm torn off, which was not sewn back on but thrown to a dog as food.

1. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the situation of prisoners in Turkey?

2. What practical measures has the Commission envisaged to bring an end to torture in Turkish
prisons?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2000)

Prison conditions in Turkey remain a major cause for concern. Violent clashes between detainees and
guards or security forces, mutiny and hostage taking still occur. Ill-treatment of detainees notably during
transfer between prisons is also reported. The detention conditions for juvenile delinquents also deserves
the highest priority.

The authorities are currently in the process of restructuring the whole prison system. Eleven prisons of a
new-type (so-called F-type) should be built by the end of 2000. In these prisons, small cells for one to
three prisoners will replace the current big dormitories. The other prisons should be converted to room
system with cells for two, four and six prisoners also by the end of 2000. While the authorities have
indicated that the new type prisons will respect the basic international requirements, some fear exist that
the new system will isolate prisoners with no possibility to socialise. In these conditions, the authorities,
while embarking on this restructuring, should act with caution in order to avoid further violence in
prisons. They should continue to co-operate on this matter with the committee for the prevention of
torture (CPT), which paid a visit to Turkish prisons in July 2000.

As part of the accession process and in order to fulfil the political Copenhagen criteria, Turkey has to
improve the situation in its prisons. This implies notably that ill treatment in prisons should be completely
abandoned.

(2001/C 136 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2823/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(5 September 2000)

Subject: Free movement of labour

Can the Commission indicate whether the Union Treaties, with respect to free movement of labour, specify
any minimum age for the provision to operate or does national legislation apply? If the latter is true, can
the Commission indicate the applicable ages for each Member State?