(2004/C 33 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject:   The situation of the Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan

Can the Commission confirm that Abdulah Ocalan has been in solitary confinement in Turkey since the present Turkish Government took office?

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the political situation from deteriorating as far as the rights of the Kurdish minority are concerned?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öçalan's current detention conditions. The Commission took note that, after a period of around three months of isolation, A. Öçalan received the visit of his brother Mehmet and of a number of his lawyers on 12 March 2003.

The Commission is monitoring closely Turkey's compliance with the Accession Partnership priorities, including the provisions aimed at ensuring cultural diversity and guaranteeing cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin.

The Commission will give a detailed assessment of Turkey's compliance with the Copenhagen political criteria in its forthcoming 2003 Regular Report on Turkey.