Vol. 510 No. 5
92 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of human rights conditions and the role of democracy in Turkey; his hopes and expectations for the future; and the additional information he has which will assist in giving a fair and comprehensive overview of the political situation there. [23094/99]
My assessment of human rights conditions in Turkey coincides to a large extent with the most recent assessment of the European Commission, published in October. There has been little evolution in this area over the past year, although there have been some improvements reflecting the intention of the Turkish authorities to counter human rights abuses by public officers. In this respect several legislative and administrative measures have been adopted recently. However, I remain concerned about shortcomings in terms of respect for human rights and the rights of minorities and about the constitutional role which the army plays in political life through the National Security Council. With regard to the case of Mr. Öcalan, Ireland, together with our EU partners, has strongly urged the Turkish authorities not to carry out the death sentence.
On 26 June 1999 Prime Minister Ecevit promised that the Government would undertake legal reform to improve Turkey's human rights record. He explained that the Government's priority is to develop democracy, improve human rights, expand freedom of thought and ensure an effective judicial system. The strengthening of Turkey's links with 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 EU and respect for and protection of minorities.
Nationwide elections to the Turkish Grand National Assembly were held on 18 April 1999 on the basis of universal adult suffrage and the secret ballot. Five political parties secured representation in the 550 seat assembly, and a new Turkish Government was elected. On 9 June the new Government won a parliamentary vote of confidence by a margin of 354 to 182. The Government has produced a wide-ranging programme which includes proposals for parliamentary and judicial reform, modernisation of the social security system and the granting of limited amnesty to Kurdish rebels who surrender.
The Luxembourg European Council of December 1997 confirmed that Turkey's eligibility for EU accession would be examined on the basis of the same criteria as for other applicant states. It is my hope that the Turkish Government will continue its present course of reform and improvement in respect for human rights in order to meet the political and economic criteria necessary for the opening of EU accession negotiations.
93 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of human rights condition and the role of democracy in the Russian Federation; his hopes and expectations for the future; and the additional information he has which will assist in giving a fair and comprehensive overview of the political situation there. [23095/99]
There has been substantive progress by the Russian Federation in the human rights area in recent years, despite often difficult economic and political circumstances. Political pluralism and free expression of opinion have been achieved. Russian ratification of a number of Council of Europe conventions, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, the anti-torture convention, the European Charter for Local Self-Government and the Convention on the Protection of National Minorities represent key steps taken on the road to reform. Nevertheless, in many fields, further efforts are necessary. There are positive indications – the recent transfer of responsibility for the penitentiary system to the Ministry of Justice; the entry into force of new civil and criminal codes; and the respect for the moratorium on the death penalty, indicate Russia's commitment to ensuring that the system of common European democratic values and standards is enshrined in its domestic law and practice.
Russian presidential and parliamentary elections take place regularly, most recently in 1996 and 1995 respectively. Under the constitution of December 1993 the Russian Federation is a democratic, federative, multi-ethnic republic, in which state power is divided between the legislature, executive and the judiciary, which are independent of one another. The President, who is Head of State, is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years and holds broad executive powers. Supreme legislative power is vested in the bicameral Federal Assembly. The Federal Assembly consists of an upper chamber, the 176 member Federation Council, and the lower chamber, the 450 member state Duma, elected by universal suffrage for a period of four years. The next Duma elections take place on 19 December and the next presidential elections have been fixed for June 2000.
It is my hope that Russia will continue on the path of reform and improvement in respect for human rights, and that the present Chechnya conflict will be resolved by political means through negotiations between the Russian Government and elected leaders of the north Caucasus, including Chechnya.
