Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increased human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority in Turkey; and if the issue is being discussed at EU level. [50342/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Irish Embassy in Ankara, with other EU delegations, continues to monitor closely the human rights situation in Turkey, including the treatment of Kurds and other minorities. Respect for human rights, minorities and fundamental freedoms are core values upon which the European Union is built. Turkey, as an EU candidate, is expected to uphold these values. The European Commission’s October progress report on Turkey draws attention to where further progress is required, particularly respect for fundamental rights, and the need for legislation to distinguish clearly between incitement of violence and the expression of non-violent ideas. The Commission’s report also notes Turkey’s progress, including positive steps in drafting a new constitution. Ireland, as a supporter of Turkey’s EU perspective, welcomes these efforts and encourages the Turkish Government to continue reforms on its path to EU accession, including further outreach to the Kurdish minority and proper recognition of their rights.

The Kurdish issue remains a key challenge for Turkey’s democracy, and the ongoing hunger strikes by Kurdish prisoners are a matter of particular concern. Reports of deterioration in the health of striking prisoners are worrying. I join with the European Commission in urging prisoners not to endanger their health or their lives.

I also urge the Turkish Government to reach out to the Kurdish community. The escalation of PKK terrorist attacks makes it much harder to reach a solution but the fight against terrorism must be conducted with due regard for human rights. I would encourage all sides to redouble their efforts to address the Kurdish issue in a peaceful and democratic manner through dialogue.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Discrimination against Turkey's Kurdish community has been well documented during the years. There are approximately 20 million Kurds in Turkey but they have never been granted the same rights as ethnic Turks and are not even recognised as Kurds and are called mountain Turks.

The Tánaiste referred to the fact there is a hunger strike in the jails. There are some 700 prisoners on strike, some of them for 64 days at this stage. In the last year, there has been an escalation in attacks, including tear gas attacks, Kurdish rallies are no longer allowed and lawyers, mayors and members of parliament have been jailed. The situation appears to be escalating.

What the prisoners are looking for seems fairly reasonable and non-threatening, for example, the right to education, legal defence in their native Kurdish language and the start of direct peace talks to resolve the outstanding conflict by peaceful and constitutional means. These are issues with which I do not think anyone in this part of the world would have a difficulty. The difficulty many of us have is that, of the 479 cases that have been taken in recent years to the European Court of Justice on grounds of freedom of expression, 207 have originated from Turkey. The situation in the area seems to be getting worse and worse but, at the same time, Turkey is making an application to join the EU. While I welcome the fact the Tánaiste is talking about further progress in regard to the expression of non-violent ideas, there is a contradiction in that, on the one hand, they are looking to join the rest of us in Europe but, on the other, they do not seem to take on board the rights of minorities in their own country.

We are all familiar with our own history, not only in regard to the prisoners' struggle but also in regard to the attempt to wipe out the Irish language. The "bata scoir" or "tally stick" is all they are short of in regard to the Kurdish language, the denial of Kurdish education and so on. Something is radically wrong. We talk in terms of the EU becoming a global leader. It needs to speak out clearly in this regard. I am concerned by this escalation and the situation of the 700 prisoners, many of whom will probably die in the next couple of days, given the length of time they have been on hunger strike. Is there anything else we can do, as a country, to stop this oppression and support human rights? Is it possible to use the Turkish EU application in this regard?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have some experience on this island of hunger strikes and where that can lead. The latest report I have is that there are 707 Kurdish prisoners on hunger strike and that there is a core group of 64 who went on hunger strike on 12 September and who are now on their 64th day. I understand three issues form the basis for the hunger strikers' demands. The first issue is an end to the isolation of the PKK leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who was captured in 1999. The Turkish Prime Minister has now said that Mr. Öcalan can have access to his family. The second issue is the right of Kurdish suspects to defend themselves in court in the Kurdish language. I understand the Government of Turkey yesterday submitted a Bill to Parliament which will allow suspects to use the Kurdish language during their defence statement and trials. The third issue is the right to mother tongue education in Kurdish. Again, I am informed that the Turkish Government is beginning to provide for elective classes in Kurdish.

Clearly, this will be an issue in the context of Turkey's EU perspective and the issue of accession, and I expect this is an issue we will be handling during our Presidency of the EU next year. We have said we would like to see progress made on Turkey's accession but, clearly, there are standards, criteria and human rights commitments and standards that have to be complied with for accession. This issue will obviously form part of that discussion.