Enda Kenny
Ceist:80 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on allegations of sexual violence against women in custody in Turkey. [9933/03]
Vol. 565 No. 1
80 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on allegations of sexual violence against women in custody in Turkey. [9933/03]
I refer to my reply to Question No. 244 of 25 March 2003. Human rights issues are an important element of contacts at all levels between Ireland and the Government of Turkey. The embassy in Ankara, along with the embassies of our European Union partners and the representation of the European Commission, monitors the human rights situation in Turkey and regularly raises with the authorities, both formally and informally, allegations of torture and ill-treatment of people in custody. The general issue of sexual violence against women and men in detention in Turkey, and specific allegations, have been raised by the EU with the Turkish Government as part of this process.
Turkey adopted a series of human rights reforms during 2002, which included legislation aimed at the abolition of torture and ill treatment of people in custody. I have welcomed these reforms, and I welcome the willingness on the part of the Turkish Government to address the issue of torture, in all its forms. It is important now that the legislative reforms be fully implemented.