Hansard

Turkey: Freedom of Speech

Volume 685: debated on Monday 9 October 2006

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Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Government of Turkey concerning over 40 journalists who are reported to be facing prosecution under Article 301 of Turkey's penal code.[HL7161]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Lord Triesman)

The Government have repeatedly raised concerns with the Turkish Government regarding individuals in Turkey facing prosecution under Article 301 for the non-violent expression of opinion. Turkey's human rights record will continue to be closely scrutinised during the accession process and the EU has said that, “if the Turkish Penal Code continues to be interpreted in a restrictive manner, then it may need to be amended in order to safeguard freedom of expression in Turkey”. We will continue to monitor the application of Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the past 12 months, they have made representations to the Government of Turkey on the issue of free speech.[HL7162]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Lord Triesman)

We have raised our concerns on a number of occasions in the past year with the Turkish Government on the issue of free speech, including the well known cases brought against Orhan Pamuk, Hrant Dink and Perihan Magden. I recently wrote to the Turkish ambassador in London underlining the need to ensure court decisions reflect Turkey's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.