91998E3527

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3527/98

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(13 November 1998)

Subject: Decision by the Turkish administration to dismiss the supervisory committee of the Patriarchal Theological School of Chalki

The Turkish administration recently took the arbitrary decision to dismiss the supervisory committee of the Patriarchal Theological School of Chalki. At the same time the Directorate-General for Public Welfare Foundations in Turkey wishes to oblige the Oecumenical Patriarchate and the Synod to obtain the "permission" of the supervisory committee before undertaking even the most insignificant action in the monastery. These decisions prove that equality before the law, justice and religious freedom which are guaranteed by the Turkish Constitution exist only on paper.

Will the Council say how it intends to intervene to safeguard democratic freedoms and religious rights in Turkey, in view of the critical discussions concerning the Commission report on progress in relations between the EU and Turkey?

Reply

(8 February 1999)

1. The Council regrets the situation of human rights in Turkey, including freedom of expression in religious matters, and is well aware that under the Treaty of Lausanne signed in July 1923, the Turkish Government has undertaken to grant full protection to churches, synagogues, cemeteries, and other religious establishments of non-Moslem minorities.

The Council is concerned about the developments related to the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology. The Austrian Federal President raised the issue personally during the official visit to Vienna by the President of Turkey, Mr Demirel, on 17-19 November 1998.

2. In line with the European Parliament's request made to the Council in the context of the Parliament's assent to implement the final phase of the customs union, the Council monitors human rights and democratic developments in Turkey. The European Council, meeting in Luxembourg on 12-13 December 1997 recalled the Council position expressed at the Association Council with Turkey on 29 April 1997, that strengthening Turkey's links with the EU also depended on Turkey's alignment of human rights standards and practices with those in force in the EU as well as respect for and protection of minorities.

3. The respect of human rights is particularly important for countries which have applied for EU membership. In this context, the Commission's report of 4 November 1998 on Turkey's progress towards EU accession, based on Article 28 of the Association Agreement, acknowledged the Turkish Government's public commitment to combat human rights violations, but noted that this had not yet had any significant effect in practice.