Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine reports of moves by the Turkish Government to ban the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the third largest party in the Turkish Parliament; his views on this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The decision, announced on the 17th March, of the Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation in Turkey to formally request the dissolution of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) is extremely concerning. The HDP is the third largest party in Turkey and this step could potentially deny representation to millions of Turkish voters.

This is the latest move by the Turkish authorities against the HDP, following the removal and replacement of 59 out of the 65 democratically elected HDP mayors, and the recent decision to strip a HDP Member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu, of his parliamentary seat and parliamentary immunity so that he may be imprisoned.

This is unfortunately part of a wider negative trend in Turkey on the issues of rule of law, respect for human rights and the independence of the judiciary. Turkey’s refusal to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings related to the release of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas; and the decision on 20th March to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, are two recent examples of the serious shortcomings that exist in Turkey in regards to respect for human rights. I made clear my concern over the Turkish Government's decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention and my call on them to reverse this decision in a statement I issued on 21 March.

The recent moves by the Turkish authorities are especially disappointing as they come at a time when we are seeking to build a more stable and constructive EU-Turkey relationship which is essential for a number of reasons, including our shared interest in issues such as migration, economy and trade, and security.  

We have been clear that while Turkey has adopted a more constructive attitude in recent months on certain issues, we will only be able to make substantial progress in the relationship once we see a pattern of consistent constructive behaviour from Turkey. This includes a willingness to promote a genuine partnership with the EU, and evidence that Turkey is beginning to address its internal human rights situation through a series of positive concrete actions, rather than plans and strategies.