ABDULLAH OCALAN AND THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Early day motion 232, tabled 25 May 2005 by John Austin (Labour). Signed by 50 members.

That this House welcomes the recent decision of the highest panel of the European Court of Human Rights confirming that the imposition of the death penalty on Abdullah Ocalan violated the Convention; notes that the court held that Mr Ocalan had been denied a fair trial and that the length of detention prior to the trial and the inability to challenge his detention also violated his rights; further notes that the Grand Chamber took the exceptional step of proposing specific remedies, including the right to a re-trial; believes this judgment has bluntly reminded Turkey that it has to respect European institutions and values if it wants to succeed in EU membership talks set to begin on 3rd October; and calls upon the international community to monitor Turkey's compliance with the verdict.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2.