91998E1944

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1944/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(17 June 1998)

Subject: Assassination attempt against Akin Birdal in Turkey

In a topical and urgent resolution on the assassination attempt against Akin Birdal adopted on 14 May 1998, the European Parliament called on the Turkish authorities "to ensure that the material and intellectual authors of this, and other similar crimes, are brought to justice" and stressed that "the existing impunity for those responsible for attacks against other members of human rights organisations and journalists has contributed to such an attack taking place".

It also reminded Turkey of its commitments "under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights". Will the Council say what measures it is taking to ensure that the assassination attempts against Akin Birdal and others are cleared up? What measures is it taking to ensure that Turkey complies with the declarations and treaties on the protection of human rights?

Reply

(28 /29 September 1998)

The Presidency issued on 13 May 1998 a declaration on behalf of the EU expressing shock and dismay at the shooting in Ankara on 12 May 1998 of Akin Birdal, Chairman of the Human Rights Association. The Council condemned that cowardly attack. It strongly supported statements by the Turkish authorities that every effort would be made to bring to justice those responsible. The Council will continue to follow this case closely, involving as it does a prominent human rights activist.

The European Council meeting in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997 recalled, in line with 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 on those in force in the EU as well as respect for and protection of minorities.

In the spirit of the Parliament's request made to the Council in the context of the EP's assent to implement the final phase of the customs union, the Council monitors human rights and democratic developments in Turkey. The Commission's report to the Council in March 1998 on developments in relations with Turkey since the entry into force of the customs union concluded that no substantial progress had been achieved as regards human rights and the democratic reform process in Turkey.

These issues feature prominently in any Council discussion about Turkey and are raised regularly with the Turkish authorities. However, the Council regrets that following the Luxembourg European Council Turkey has refused to conduct political dialogue with the EU, including on human rights questions. Cooperation in the field of human rights and humanitarian issues also form part of the European strategy set out for Turkey in Luxembourg.