WRITTEN QUESTION E-3180/01 by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council. Killing of hunger strikers in Turkey.
Date: 2001-11-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, accession criteria, accession to the European Union, constitutional revision, homicide, human rights, hunger strike

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/123

(2002/C 147 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3177/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Killing of hunger strikers in Turkey

On 5 November, Turkish police brutally forced their way into hunger strikers’ houses in the Kucuk
Armutlu district of Istanbul, killing six hunger strikers and wounding another fourteen in a bid to end the
379-day long hunger strike started in protest at the new regime in Turkish prisons. What practical steps
will the Commission take to make plain to Turkey that the continuous violation of fundamental human
rights and the systematic use of violence by the state are not compatible with Turkey’s status as a country
in the process of preparing for accession to the European Union and that this process will have to be
suspended?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 2001)

The Commission considers that an independent investigation should be carried out of causes of casualties
following the police raids in Küçükarmutlu (Istanbul) on 5 and 13 November 2001.

The Union has raised this incident with the Turkish authorities, in the enhanced political dialogue.

The Commission is closely monitoring developments concerning human rights in Turkey. In its recent
annual Report on progress towards accession to the Union, published on the 13 November 2001 (1), the
Commission recognises the importance of a number of constitutional,
legislative and administrative
changes, and states that
the actual human rights situation as it affects individuals in Turkey need
improvement. Though the country is making progress in some areas, the Commission considers that it
does not yet meet the Copenhagen political criteria. Turkey is therefore encouraged to intensify and
accelerate the process of reform to ensure that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully protected
in law and practice, for all citizens, throughout the country.

(1) SEC(2001) 1756.

(2002/C 147 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3180/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council

(23 November 2001)

Subject: Killing of hunger strikers in Turkey

On 5 November, Turkish police brutally forced their way into hunger strikers’ houses in the Kucuk
Armutlu district of Istanbul, killing six hunger strikers and wounding another fourteen in a bid to end the
379-day long hunger strike started in protest at the new regime in Turkish prisons.

What practical steps will the Council take to make plain to Turkey that the continuous violation of
fundamental human rights and the systematic use of violence by the state are not compatible with Turkey’s
status as a country in the process of preparing for accession to the European Union and that this process
will have to be suspended?

C 147 E/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

Reply

(18 March 2002)

The Council keeps a very close watch on all human rights developments in Turkey. The Turkish
authorities’ reactions to the action directed against
the introduction of a new type of prison, and
particularly the hunger strike which is resulting in an ever-increasing number of fatalities, are indeed a
subject for major concern. This has been pointed out repeatedly to Turkey, whether in the framework of
political dialogue or on other occasions.

With regard to the recent police operation in Kucuk Armutlu during which several hunger strikers died
and many others were injured, the Council, through the Heads of Mission in Ankara and during the lunch
given for EC-Turkey Political Directors in Brussels on 20 November last, expressed its concern to Turkey
regarding a disproportionate use of force, and asked the Turkish authorities to provide explanations.

Without wanting in any way to minimise the seriousness of an incident such as that in Kucuk Armutlu
and, generally speaking, the shortcomings still existing in Turkey regarding human rights,
it must be
acknowledged, however, as the European Commission has also done in its regular report for 2001, that
Turkey has recently made considerable progress towards greater compliance with human rights and
fundamental freedoms, in particular by means of the constitutional reforms of last October, which are
currently being implemented.

It should be noted that the Laeken European Council on 14 and 15 December 2001 established that
Turkey has made progress towards complying with the political criteria established for accession,
in
particular through the recent amendment of its constitution, and that this has brought forward the
prospect of the opening of accession negotiations. It would seem in these circumstances that it cannot be
concluded, as the Honourable Member does, that the process of Turkey’s accession must be suspended.

(2002/C 147 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/01

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: Free movement of persons

Can the Commission state whether it is necessary for an Irish citizen travelling to Belgium to carry a
national passport or whether official identification such as an Irish driving licence is sufficient?

Could the Commission further state whether it is a matter of national law or of European law to lay down
the conditions under which the right to freedom of movement may be restricted?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by the Commission to Question 2506/01 by
Mr Speroni (1) and to the joint answer to Written Questions P-2996/01 by Mr Speroni and P-3010/01 by
Mr Gobbo (2).

(1) OJ C 40 E, 14.2.2002, p. 246.
(2) OJ C 115 E, 16.5.2002, p. 211.