WRITTEN QUESTION P-2850/00 by Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Situation in Turkish prisons.
Date: 2000-09-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, accession criteria, cruel and degrading treatment, human rights, prison system

C 136 E/110

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

To date,
geographical
Regulation.

it must be noted, more than 540 protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected
indications (PGIs) in the Member States have been registered under the abovementioned

In particular with regard to the recognition of Emilia (cid:129) Romagna products as PDOs or PGIs, the
Commission is ready to examine any applications for registration sent by the Italian Ministry under
Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

(1) OJ C 280 E, 3.10.2000.
(2) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2001/C 136 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2850/00

by Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Situation in Turkish prisons

Is the Commission aware of the situation of prisoners in Buca prison and of the fate of Mr Ali Aslan who
is in a critical condition after being tortured by the police?

In the Commission(cid:146)s opinion, which of the Copenhagen criteria has Turkey fulfilled hitherto?

In this respect, how does the Commission assess the situation in Turkish prisons?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2000)

The Commission is aware of the events that took place recently in Turkish prisons and is deeply concerned
by the gravity of the facts reported. Concerning the specific case mentioned by the Honourable Member,
the Commission has received the following information.

On 26 July 2000, security forces launched an important operation in the Bergama prison after the
discovery of a tunnel. Violent clashes between security forces and inmates lasted four days. The events
ended when 77 detainees and convicts (excluding those detained or convicted under the workers party
Kurdistan (PKK) cases) were transferred to the Buca prison. The transferred prisoners stated that they had
been maltreated and battered during the transfer and after arriving at the Buca prison. According to a
report made by the Izmir Bar Association, traces of battery were indeed found on the heads and bodies of
several
including Mr Aslan mentioned by the Honourable Member. Three prisoners had
apparently been more severely battered than the others and one of them had his jaw broken. The
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey also confirmed that the health condition of seven of the prisoners
(including Ali Aslan) was severe. So far, there has been no official statement made, nor any investigation
launched on these incidents.

inmates,

As far as the accession conditions are concerned, the Commission in its 1999 regular report confirmed
that Turkey was not fulfilling the so-called political Copenhagen criteria.

As far as prison conditions are concerned, the situation remains worrying as overpopulation and lack of
medical care are still major problems and violent clashes between detainees and security forces, mutinies,
and hostage taking are still occurring. It is however noted that the authorities are currently embarking on a
reform of the whole prison system.

A delegation of the Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment (CPT) completed a nine-day visit to Turkey in July 2000. One of the main
purposes of the visit was to examine the steps being taken by the Turkish authorities to introduce smaller
living units for prisoners and, more specifically, the F-type project. The CPT delegation also reviewed the
treatment of those deprived of their liberty by the police.