Abdullah Ocalan

EDM number 204 in 2002-03, proposed by John Austin on 26/11/2002.

That this House notes that the Government of Turkey, as a member of the Council of Europe, has an obligation to adhere to the European Convention on Human Rights; further notes that although the Turkish Government has repeatedly stated that it is willing to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria, that there are still systematic violations of human rights; draws attention to Turkey's repeated obstruction of Abdullah Ocalan's lawyers in travelling to Imarali Island where is he being held in inhumane conditions in solitary confinement; further notes that the Turkish authorities originally conceded Mr Ocalan one hour per week for his lawyers and one hour per month for family visitors; deplores the fact that both his lawyers and his family have repeatedly been refused their fixed visiting hours; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to remind Turkey of its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and to make clear that Turkey has no place in the European Union until it adheres to international conventions and improves its human rights record.

This motion has been signed by a total of 33 MPs.