Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he and his EU colleagues will act to demand that the Turkish Government cease its repressive approach to the Kurds in Turkey, restore the rule of law in south-eastern Turkey and enter into dialogue with Kurdish representatives in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17191/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have repeatedly stressed my deep regret at the breakdown of the ceasefire between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish Government in 2015. The escalating tensions and violence in the south-east are a cause for concern, as is the shrinking space for civil society due to breaches of human rights and democratic norms.

I would like to reiterate that the rights of all minorities in Turkey must be respected, including the Kurdish minority. Citizens must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights and freedoms.

I would also reiterate my concern at the arrest and detention of elected officials and members of parliament, including pro-Kurdish HDP politicians. It is critically important that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are respected. I have also expressed my concern at the conditions in which those in detention are held.

It is clear that the Turkish-Kurdish conflict can only be resolved through the resumption of peaceful and constructive dialogue between the two sides. To this end, the Irish Government has called for a renewed ceasefire and the resumption of political dialogue. We are also continuing to support efforts to maintain contacts between the Kurdish and Turkish sides, primarily through our funding of the Democratic Progress Institute’s Turkey Programme.

On the wider backsliding on democracy and human rights in Turkey, both myself and my senior officials have repeatedly conveyed our concerns to our Turkish counterparts. In August last year I conveyed my concerns in person to the Turkish Foreign Minister and reminded him that allowing an active civil society and guaranteeing freedom of speech, along with other reforms, are required if Turkey is to maintain its European perspective.  

Through our Embassy in Turkey,  my senior officials and I will continue to monitor developments in Turkey, both on the Kurdish issue and the wider situation regarding human rights, freedom of expression, the rule of law and democracy, and will continue to use every appropriate opportunity to raise our concerns.