Vol. 487 No. 5
35 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current state of human rights in Turkey in view of the recent banning of the Welfare Party and the five year ban from political office of the former Prime Minister Erbakan. [4281/98]
I remain concerned at the current human rights situation in Turkey. As the recent European Council in Luxembourg recalled, the strengthening of links between Turkey and the European Union depends on Turkey's pursuit of the political and economic reforms on which it has embarked, including the alignment of human rights standards and practices with those in force in the European Union. We will continue to encourage the Turkish Government to make progress in this regard.
The recent decision of the Turkish Constitutional Court to order the closure of the Welfare Party, to which the Deputy refers, is a matter of deep regret. The decision also excludes certain members of that party, including its leader and former Prime Minister Mr. Necmettin Erbakan, from being members of the Turkish Parliament and from engaging in further political activity for five years.
The action of the Constitutional Court clearly raises concerns at the implication of its decision for democratic pluralism and freedom of expression in Turkey. Ireland, along with her partners in the European Union, hopes that the Government of Turkey will make clear its continuing commitment to these fundamental democratic principles.
