EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND KURDISH MPS (No. 2)

Early day motion 1415, tabled 11 June 2002 by John Austin (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes that the recent case against Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights is the latest in a line of cases in which Turkey has been censured by the court for dissolving political parties; notes however that this case is unique in that it is the first time the court has found Turkey in violation of the right to free elections, Article 3 of Protocol 1, under the European Convention on Human Rights; further notes that while previous European Court cases have focused on the right of the parties themselves to exist, the ruling in this case focuses on both the right of the electorate to choose its own representatives and the very right of individuals to stand for parliament; and calls on Turkey to introduce constitutional changes in compliance with the convention and the right to free elections.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Scottish National Party 4, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, UUP 1.