92000E1802

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1802/00

by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Ozgur case

The Turkish Cypriot politician Ozker Ozgur is to be committed to trial on 26 May by the authorities of the Cypriot territory under Turkish occupation, on the charge of incitement to rebellion. In fact, proceedings are being taken against Mr Ozgur, together with the editor and staff of the newspaper Avrupa, because in his articles he has repeatedly opposed the expulsion of citizens from their houses so that these may be used by Turkish soldiers. Mr Ozgur states that he refuses to be tried by an occupation court. This case forms one of a series of indirect interventions by the Turkish military establishment, designed to maintain Mr Denktash as leader of the Turkish Cypriot people. As well as the wider issue of the functioning of democracy, Mr Ozgur's case undoubtedly constitutes a flagrant violation of individual rights and, of course, freedom of expression.

Does the Commission intend to examine the question of the continued violation of individual and human rights in the sector of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops, and how does it intend to intervene in order to ensure a fair trial?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the recent committal to trial of the Turkish Cypriot politician Ozker Ozgur raised by the Honourable Member and will be following developments closely. The same is the case for the editor and staff of the newspaper Avrupa. Each year the Commission produces a regular report on each candidate country reviewing progress in the light of the Copenhagen criteria, including human rights. In the case of Cyprus there is a special section dealing with the situation in the northern part of the island(1). It is likely that the cases mentioned by the Honourable Member will be dealt with in this year's report due to be published in autumn 2000.

(1) COM(1999) 502 final, 13.10.99, page 11.