WRITTEN QUESTION E-3663/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Execution of hunger-striking prisoners in Turkey.
Date: 2002-01-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Türkiye, accession negotiations, political prisoner, political violence, prison system

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/51

That ‘first list’ of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts is to be reviewed at least once
3.
every six months, as provided for in Article 1(6) of the common position mentioned under point 1(b).
During the updating process, experts analyse thoroughly the information available on each group, in order
to assess that the respective file is sound in the sense that it complies with the objective criteria set out in
Article 1(4) of the common position mentioned under point 1(b). Such objective criteria basically require
an indication that a decision has been taken by a competent authority with regard to the persons, entities
or groups in question, either due (i) to the investigation or prosecution for terrorist acts, or (ii) to credible
evidence or clues concerning an attempt to commit, participate in or facilitate such terrorist acts, or (iii) to
a condemnation for the acts in question.

(2002/C 205 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3663/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(15 January 2002)

Subject: Execution of hunger-striking prisoners in Turkey

In a raid by security forces in a suburb of Istanbul, six hunger strikers were killed and, according to a
forensic report discovered by the Turkish press, their bodies showed signs of beatings and bullet wounds.
80 hunger-strikers have died over the last year, 36 of whom have been killed in security force operations,
and the International Press Agency reports that the Turkish Government is drafting a law providing for
prison sentences for anyone inciting, encouraging or supporting (!) hunger strikers. Will the Council
therefore say what practical steps it has taken in response to the murders?

Will discussions between the EU and Turkey as an applicant country be suspended until the competent
Turkish Minister takes responsibility and resigns, and the conditions are created whereby the human rights,
the life and dignity of political prisoners in Turkish jails are respected? According to a Council statement,
improving conditions in Turkish prisons is one of the short-term priorities of the partnership. By when
must these short-term obligations be met?

Reply

(13 May 2002)

Regarding the police operation in a district of Istanbul on 5 November 2001 against hunger strikers
opposing the introduction of a new type of prison, the Council, through the Heads of Mission in Ankara
and more recently at
the troika of EU-Turkey Political Directors in Madrid on
8 January 2002, expressed its concern to Turkey regarding a disproportionate use of force, and asked the
Turkish authorities to provide explanations regarding the deaths that occurred.

the meeting of

On detention conditions in Turkish prisons, their improvement is a medium-term priority of the accession
partnership with Turkey, which came into effect in March 2001. The accession partnership allows for
more than one year for the achievement of medium-term priorities. The Council also recalls that the
European Council which met at Laeken on 14 and 15 December 2001 encouraged Turkey to continue its
progress towards complying with both economic and political criteria, notably with regard to human
rights.

Regarding other matters relevant to the question raised, the Honourable Member is urged to refer to the
reply given by the Council to Written Question E-3180/01 put by Mr Christos Zacharakis, which also
concerns the police operation against hunger strikers on 5 November 2001 in Istanbul.