Vol. 470 No. 8
6 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government supports Kurdish demands for political independence; if so, the extent to which it supports such demands; the steps, if any, being taken by the Government and the EU to ensure that such a settlement is achieved peacefully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/96]
The Government favours a political solution to the problem of the Kurdish minority in Turkey which would allow for appropriate expression of the Kurdish cultural identity, in accordance with the wishes of the Kurdish people, in a manner consistent with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Turkish state.
We have, accordingly, encouraged the Turkish Government to seek a political solution rather than approach the situation in the Kurdish provinces in Turkey purely as a security problem. The conflict resulting from the armed campaign of violence of certain Kurdish separatist groups has lasted over twelve years and claimed the lives of over 22,000 people, including Kurdish guerrillas, members of the security forces and civilians. A peaceful political settlement to this question would lay the basis for a lasting peace in the area and an improvement in the economic situation of the Kurdish people.
Would the Minister agree that it is important, and has the Government taken any steps as EU Presidency, to ensure that the Turkish authorities carry out whatever fight there is against terrorism in the Kurdish provinces within the law and with full respect for human rights, which is sadly missing within Turkey?
I have had two meetings with the Turkish Foreign Minister at which these issues have been discussed. We have raised the question of human rights. It is also worth recalling that following the restoration of democratic government in Turkey in 1983, after a period of repression under military rule, notable progress was made by the incoming and subsequent governments towards democratisation and internal political reform. Measures were also taken to allow greater political freedom for parties and organisations which had previously been banned under the military regime, and reforms were introduced under the penal code which relaxed restrictions on freedom of expression and political debate. That process of reform of legislation and the full implementation of democratic freedoms and human rights is not complete. This point was made in remarks in the European Parliament. Further measures need to be taken to improve the situation and to ensure respect for human rights. That is raised at every meeting we have with the Turkish authorities.
I am surprised that the Minister has repeated the remarks of the Minister of State, Deputy Gay Mitchell, to the European Parliament on 18 September when he expressed his view that notable progress had been made in the area of democratisation and internal reform since 1983 in Turkey. This flies in the face of all known facts and international reports on Turkey. Does the Minister consider, for example, the reform of Article 8 of the Turkish anti-terror law, under which dissemination of separatist propaganda remains an imprisonable offence, to be notable progress in the areas of democratisation and internal reform? Further, is the Minister aware that in 1994 more than 50 cases of disappearances were submitted to the UN working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances from Turkey, that in 1995 a further 35 disappearances were reported by Amnesty International, that in March 1995 22 people were shot dead by police during disturbances in Istanbul, that in the same year there were approximately 100 political killings, many of them extrajudicial, and that the police officers and gendarmes who commit such human rights violations remain immune to prosecution under the law on the prosecution of civil servants which permits local governors to block prosecutions of security forces personnel? With that record, would the Minister like to consider his statement that notable progress has been made in the area of democratisation and internal reform and on human rights questions?
We have continued to make clear to the Turkish Government that the observance of the rule of law and respect for human rights and basic freedoms in Turkey will underpin the relationship between Turkey and the European Union. We remain concerned, as has been indicated in the reports cited by the Deputy, that the process of full implementation of respect for human rights in Turkey requires the serious and immediate attention of the Turkish Government. I welcome the recent statement by the Foreign Minister of Turkey that the Turkish Government intends to take further measures to improve human rights in Turkey and we will continue to urge the authorities to take early steps to introduce further reform.
I have set the background for the Deputy in relation to the situation that existed in 1983. The situation has changed. It is not perfect, and I would never attempt to say that it is, but they have advanced significantly on the road to establishing proper respect for human rights and democracy in that country.
Does the Government support the European Parliament's resolution to enter a reserve on all credits provided by the EU (Turkey) Financial Regulation, and call on the European Commission to block immediately all appropriations set aside under the MEDA programme for projects in Turkey except those concerning the promotion of democracy, human rights and civil society until such time as Turkey fulfils the conditions that have been set during the vote on the European Parliament's assent to the customs union? Does the Minister support the European Parliament on this measure? If he does, and if he accepts the reports of Amnesty International and other international reports, the fact that appalling anti-terrorist legislation is in place and the rules in relation to the roles of the governors in protecting security personnel, how can he support the statement of the Minister of State that notable progress has been made in the area of democratisation and internal reform?
With all due respect, the Deputy is turning a blind eye to the situation that existed prior to 1983 and the improvements since then. The Turkish political parties have just had a series of elections and a coalition Government has been formed as a means of working towards democratisation. We wish to see positive developments in our relationship with Turkey, particularly within the framework of the customs union, approved by the European Parliament last year. A central element of the European Union's strategy is to support the process of democratisation and internal reform in Turkey. A closer relationship with Turkey, which the customs union entails, is the best way of enhancing the European Union's capacity to exercise a positive influence on developments in that country. I trust the Deputy is not suggesting we isolate Turkey because that would be a disaster.
I am not suggesting that.
Is the Minister aware of trade missions that have taken place or are planned between Ireland and Turkey? Can he ensure that the message goes out to Turkey, regardless of what arrangements might be made, that such trade missions are not an endorsement of breaches of human rights in that country? Is he involved in deciding whether a trade mission goes ahead on the basis of Department of Foreign Affairs policy?
No, I do not think I have any function in relation to trade missions to Turkey. The position is that as opportunities present themselves in contact with the Turkish Government we will express our concern in regard to the necessity for further reforms in human rights, freedom of expression and democratic freedoms.
