WRITTEN QUESTION E-0574/03 by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Turkey and the Ocalan case.
Date: 2003-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Kurdistan question, Türkiye, accession criteria, rights of the defence

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/55

The Commission does not believe that the Broadcasting Authority has acted in a discriminatory way in this
matter but rather that the tense accession referendum campaign in Malta incited it to take exceptional
steps to guarantee the impartiality of the public television.

In view of these exceptional circumstances, and considering the status, duties and independence of the
Malta Broadcasting Authority, the Commission believes that its assessment that freedom of expression
continues to be respected in Malta, remains valid.

(2004/C 33 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0574/03

by Luigi Vinci (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Turkey and the ‘Ocalan case’

For some weeks now the leader of the former PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, has been unable to receive visits
from his defence lawyers or anyone else. This arbitrary decision on the part of the Turkish Government
constitutes a flagrant violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the ‘political criteria’ for
enlargement identified by the Copenhagen European Council.

What steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Ocalan is guaranteed the basic right of
defence? Does it not consider that, since Ocalan’s sentence of death has been commuted, Brussels should
now exert pressure on the government in Ankara to ensure that Ocalan is granted freedom and that
negotiations are launched with a view to a political solution to the ‘Kurdish question’?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öcalan’s current detention conditions. Since 27 November 2002
there have been reports that relatives and lawyers of Mr Öcalan have had difficulties in gaining access to
him.

As a Candidate Country, Turkey aims to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria as well as the priorities
identified by the Accession Partnership. These include the alignment of prison detention conditions with
European standards and full compliance with the provisions of the European Convention on Human
Rights.

The Commission has been informed of the visit made on 16 and 17 February 2003 by a delegation of the
Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CPT), which was given access to Mr Öcalan. The CPT delegation concluded that the health of
Mr Öcalan was good, but that his continued isolation was a problem. The CPT’s delegation will take steps
to ensure that Mr Öcalan’s right to receive visits is effective in practice.

The Commission will continue to monitor the conditions of Mr Öcalan’s detention, and the respect of his
right to defence.

(2004/C 33 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Forced sterilisation of Roma women in Slovakia

As a member of the EU-Slovak Republic JPC, I have visited Slovakia on many occasions and have been
frequently in contact with the Roma community. Within the context of accession negotiations, I have
continually emphasised the rights of minorities. The recent report by the Centre of Reproductive Rights