Eurlings: PKK Should Declare Ceasefire

EP calls for more reforms on freedom of opinion, religious and minority, women and cultural rights, civilian-military relations, unions and impartiality of justice. Evaluation report adopted by General Assembly asks Ankara to open ports to Greek Cyprus.

Strasbourg

The European Parliament General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a report on Turkey prepared by Dutch Christian Democrat member Camiel Eurlings.

The report was accepted by 429 votes in favor and 71 against, with 125 members abstaining.

According to the BBC Turkish Service, the Parliament report asked for Turkey to abolish legislation limiting the freedom of expression and continue its reforms while also calling for the opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes and develop diplomatic relations with neighboring Armenia.

A previous demand added to the report by the Foreign Affairs Committee for Turkey to acknowledge an "Armenian genocide" in its history before it could join the EU was removed from the final report.

An amendment by the Socialist, Liberal and Green lawmakers on the issue was approved with 320 votes in favor and 282 against.

The final report, however, did say said it was indispensable for Turkey to come to terms with and recognize its past and called in Ankara to take steps without conditions to start diplomatic relations with Armenia and open its border door as soon as possible.

Another point removed from the report passed on Wednesday was a request for Turkey to recognize a genocide of Assyrians and Greeks. Instead the report called for positive relations with minorities.

Eurlings: A EU country cannot have an article like 301

European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings said that with the changes made the report had generally turned to its original shape and in a speech he made after the vote said "We want the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party] PKK to declare a ceasefire. We also want the Turkish government to start some kind of communication with Kurdish politicians".

According to a report the NTV, Eurlings said they expected Turkey to speed up the process of its reforms and in relation to controversial article 301 he added, "a country that has entered the EU cannot have such an article".

Eurlings also said "I know the report contains hard conditions for Turkey. I am sorry on this issue. But I must say I am hopeful. I hope this report is reflected in the correct way".

"Reforms process needs to speed up "

The Evaluation Report which places no obligations on Turkey calls on the country to speed up the process of its reforms.

The areas of reforms highlighted in the report are the freedom of expression, religious and minority rights, civilian-military relations, women rights, unions, cultural rights and the impartiality of justice.

The report expresses positive reaction to the Ankara government's 9th reform package but calls on Turkey for the new Anti-Terror Law not to contain any elements that would limit basic rights and freedoms.

Asking for government officials as well as military personnel to be treated equally before law, the report calls on Ankara to amend Penal Code articles 216, 277, 288, 301, 305 and 318 on grounds that they allow arbitrary enforcement.

Electoral barrier needs to be changed

Stating that the removal from duty of Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya was source to "deep concern" the report says events after the bookstore bombing in Semdinli last year (where military personnel were involved, caught and prosecuted) showed not that the role of the army in the Turkish society had revived, but that it continued.

The report also says the 10% electoral barrier should be lowered in Turkey allowing a larger representation in Parliament, inclusive of Kurdish parties in reference to parties that cannot meet a nation-wide 10% vote average and are disallowed parliamentary representation.

The report also states that Turkey may require a new constitution that would reflect the reforms taken in its path to the EU and condemns a recent attack made by a gunman on members of the Turkish Council of State.

Alawite Rights must be protected

Under the title "Human Rights and Protecting Minorities" the report expresses sorrow that no improvements have yet been recorded since the last EP report in the field of religious freedoms. It asks for Turkey to tackle wit the obstacles in front of religious minorities property and education rights.

The report also asks for Turkey to recognize and protect its Alawite citizens while also approving their religious gathering places as religious centers. It says religious education at schools should be voluntary rather than compulsory and that it should not only reflect the Muslim Sunni belief.

The report lists other appeals to Turkey ranging from "abolishment of the village guards system " to "searching for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue", "detentions and arrests to be reformed to European standards".

The parliament also called on Turkey to abolish or amend provisions stifling freedom of expression, which "allow for arbitrary interpretations by judges and prosecutors leading to judgments which ... constitute a threat to the respect of human rights and freedoms."(KO/II/YE)