91996E0280

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0280/96 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Council (27 February 1996)

Subject: Whereabouts of Resit Yildiz, a Turkish citizen, from Cilesizküyü (Mezre/Miheke), Nusaybin

Resit Yildiz, a Turkish citizen, from Cilesizküyü (Mezre/Miheke), Nusaybin, was taken from his home on 27 August 1995, since when he has vanished without trace. Mr Yildiz is a Kurd of the Yezidic faith and mayor of the last remaining Yezidic village in the district. There is still no definite information (according to the Federal Republic's Foreign Office) as to whether Mr Yildiz has been detained by Turkish security forces or has fallen victim to the PKK.

1. To what extent does the Council regard this case as impeding its negotiations with Turkey?

2. Will it make this, and other examples of glaring human rights violations in Turkey, the subject of future negotiations? 3. What long-term measures is the Council seeking to prevent future human rights violations of this nature in Turkey?

Reply (13 June 1996)

The Council attaches greatest importance to respect for human rights and democracy in Turkey and does not hesitate to condemn violations of them in contacts with the Turkish authorities. The Council has also made clear, and will continue to do so, that observance of the rule of law and of fundamental freedoms is the basis for the rapprochement of Turkey to the EU.

With a view to adopting long-term measures the Council is continuing to monitor carefully the situation with regard to human rights and democratic development in Turkey. The Council has duly noted that, having given its assent, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on the human rights situation in Turkey, which, inter alia, called on the Commission and the Council to monitor permanently human rights and democratic development in Turkey and requested the Commission to present a report on the situation to the European Parliament at least once a year.