WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3334/97 by Yiannis ROUBATIS to the Commission. Conviction of Esber Yamukdereli and the continued violation of human rights in Turkey
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/41 (98/C 174/78) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3334/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (22 October 1997) Subject: Conviction of Esber Yamukdereli and the continued violation of human rights in Turkey In an article in the Turkish newspaper Sabah of 29 September 1997, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, described Article 8 of the so-called anti-terrorism law as a ádisgraceí. In an interview with the German newspaper Bildí on 22 September 1997, the Turkish Prime Minister himself, Mesut Yilmaz, acknowledged that the laws on the protection of human rights needed radical change. On 1 October 1997, the Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, said that it was a matter of priority áto put an end to the disgrace of human rights violationsí. Despite all these statements being made during the first week of October, a blind 52-year old Turkish lawyer, Esber Yamukdereli, known for his defence of numerous dissidents in the Turkish courts, was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment by the Ankara Court of Appeal under Article 8 of the anti-terrorism law. 1. What practical measures will the Commission take to secure the immediate release of Esber Yamukdereli and to compel the Turkish Government to repeal all the legal provisions which even its own officials call a ádisgraceí? 2. How long will the Commission tolerate the mockery, inconsistency and untrustworthiness of successive Turkish governments, which have been promising for two years to repeal all legal provisions used to violate human rights and restrict freedom of thought and which serve as a pretext for depriving Turkish citizens even of life itself? 3. Does the Commission not believe that it is unthinkable to strengthen relations any further between the Union and Turkey while this situation persists? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek On behalf of the Commission (24 November 1997) The Commission is extremely concerned to see an improvement in the human rights situation and continuing democratisation in Turkey. Whenever it can the Commission presses the Turkish authorities to make headway in these two areas. The Commission has also set out its ideas on this matter in Agenda 2000 (1). During his last visit to Ankara on 30 and 31 October the Member of the Commission responsible for relations with Turkey took the opportunity to point out the European Unionís efforts in these areas and to raise the imprisonment of the blind lawyer Esber Yamukdereli. In Agenda 2000 the Commission states that the European Union must continue to support Turkey in its efforts to resolve its problems, whether economic or political, and to forge closer links with the Community. The Commission communication of 15 July on the further development of relations with Turkey (2) proposes closer cooperation between the Community and Turkey on human rights to develop civil society and the rule of law in Turkey. (1) COM(97) 2000 final. (2) COM(97) 394 final. (98/C 174/79) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3336/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (22 October 1997) Subject: Luas light rail system for Dublin In September the EUís Regional Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies stated that if by spring next year it appeared unlikely that Dublinís Luas light rail system was going to be introduced on schedule, áall or part of the funds [allocated to the project by the EU] will be decommitted or reallocated to other projectsí