Vol. 526 No. 4
213 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is concerned at the fact that the head of the Turkish Parliament Human Rights Commission has been removed from office; if such a removal from office was due to the fact that a person (details supplied) was so diligent and thorough in doing her job; and the likely impact of this development on Turkey's application for EU membership. [26874/00]
I have looked into the matter raised by the Deputy. It is my understanding that in the regular mid-term re-election of parliamentary committee chairpersons, Dr. Piskinsut was not nominated by her own party for re-election to the chair of the Human Rights Committee. Instead the chair was taken by another Government Deputy from a different party.
Dr. Piskinsut's diligence and thoroughness in investigating conditions in Turkish prisons and other places of detention, including claims of torture, is considered admirable. It has been widely recognised that her leadership of the Human Rights Committee and the publication in five volumes of her findings led to a renewed Turkish Government commitment to effectively address any incidents of torture by employees of the State.
At the Helsinki European Council last December Turkey was accorded candidate status in relation to EU accession. However the strengthening of Turkey's links with the European Union and its eventual accession depend on Turkey's continued 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. The Government will continue to work actively to encourage Turkey on the path of reform and is ready to provide it with every support and practical assistance towards this end.
