HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY

Early day motion 151, tabled 21 December 2000 by John Austin (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House is deeply concerned about reports that Turkish security forces have stormed several prisons in response to a hunger strike by over 200 prisoners resulting in numerous injuries and the deaths of at least six prisoners; supports the demands of Amnesty International for an immediate end to the use of excessive force, torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and the setting up of a full independent and impartial investigation into all instances where individuals have been killed or wounded in the operation, the results of which should be made public; calls upon the Turkish authorities to allow victims' lawyers to observe autopsies and to visit their clients in prison or in hospital, while ensuring that the wounded receive medical treatment and independent supervision and observation; shares Amnesty International's concern about reports of mass arrests of the protestors' supporters and reports of ill-treatment and torture; and believes that such actions by the Turkish Government and persistent abuses of human rights make Turkey an unsuitable candidate for membership of the European Union.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Labour/Co-operative 4, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 1, Unknown 1.