European Parliament Report on Turkey

 The European Parliament (EP) Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a report on Turkey, prepared by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EP rapporteur) on 3 October. The report was passed with 48 votes and 4 abstentions. 

The report interpreted the general elections in Turkey favourably, but strongly condemned recent PKK attacks, the murders of journalist Hrant Dink and the priest Santoro, and the continued application of Article 301.

EU condemns Article 301 

The report "deplores that a number of persons is still being prosecuted under Article 301 of the penal code" and regards the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press as "a number one priority of the government."

PKK violence condemned, but Turkey warned too 

While it condemns PKK violence, it also emphasises that the new government needs political initiatives in order to facilitate a solution to the Kurdish question. This strategy would need to be supported by socio-economic development in the southeast of Turkey.

MEPs in the committee also underline the need to "pursue the fight against terrorism proportionate to the threat, and with full commitment towards international legal instruments," and call on Turkey to refrain from violating Iraq's territory.

Reforms need to continue

The signators to the report express their satisfaction with the fact that the new government has reiterated its commitment to the reform process. It emphasised that there needs to be a speedy change in Articles such as 301.

Finally, the report calls for the Commission to publish the results of its monitoring of political criteria in its forthcoming progress report, including the following aspects: judiciary reforms, combating corruption, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, implementation of the zero-tolerance-to-torture policy, and the protection of women and minority, religious, and cultural rights.

The report is to be presented to the European Parliament for a vote on 24 October. (EÖ)