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Document 91998E001268

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1268/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Council. Further acts of vandalism in Turkey

UL C 323, 21.10.1998, p. 121 (ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)

European Parliament's website

Date of document:
21/04/1998; datum pošiljanja:
Date of dispatch:
21/04/1998
Date of reply:
10/07/1998; ?
Author:
Evropski parlament, DASKALAKI
Form:
Pisno vprašanje
Addressee:
Svet Evropske unije
Parliamentary term:
Četrto zakonodajno obdobje
Political group:
Skupina Unija za Evropo

91998E1268

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1268/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Council. Further acts of vandalism in Turkey

Official Journal C 323 , 21/10/1998 P. 0121


WRITTEN QUESTION P-1268/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council (21 April 1998)

Subject: Further acts of vandalism in Turkey

Another barbaric attack has been carried out on religious monuments in Istanbul. The target this time was the Orthodox Christian cemetery where 51 graves were desecrated. This was preceded by the attack on Ayios Therapon, in which the church warden was savagely murdered, repeated attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and an attack on the Church of the Annunciation on the island of Imbros. The perpetrators (gangs who also target Jewish cemeteries) are never arrested.

Whenever the Council is asked a question on this subject, it answers in general terms full of pious intent. Will the Council say whether it will make specific representations to Turkey in regard to these acts of vandalism, particularly in view of its increasing interest in the 'European orientation' of that country?

Answer (6 July 1998)

The Council regrets the developments mentioned by the Honourable Member and is well aware that under the Treaty of Lausanne signed in July 1923, the Turkish Government undertook to grant full protection to churches, synagogues, cemeteries and other religious establishments of non-Moslem minorities.

The Council wishes to emphasise yet again the importance it attaches to strengthening Turkey's ties with the European Union, but it must also point out that if such ties are to be strengthened, Turkey must continue with the political and economic reforms it has embarked on, particularly in aligning its standards and practices in the field of human rights on those obtaining in the European Union.

Although the particular cases referred to by the Honourable Member have not yet been raised by the Council, it will not fail to inform the Turkish authorities that it sets great store by the adequate protection of human rights. Cooperation in the field of human rights is a continuing feature of the dialogue with the Turkish Government and forms an integral part of the European strategy for Turkey.

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