Situation in terms of the rule of law and human rights in Turkey

22.10.2004

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2750/04
by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

1. On 14 October 2004 a formal sitting of the European Parliament was held on the occasion of the visit by the Kurd Mrs Leyla Zana.

Precisely what due process of law was used when Mrs Zana was sentenced in 1994, and when she was provisionally released in 2004 in Turkey?

2. What is the current state of affairs? Will there be a further trial? Does the Commission consider that the necessary conditions based on the rule of law are in place? How does the Commission view the fact that Mrs Zana has now been waiting for ten years for a proper and due process of law?

3. What is the legal situation in Turkey of Mrs Zana (as well as of her eldest son and her husband, both of whom were forced to flee Turkey because of very serious threats after she was sentenced)? Is there a possibility that she could be rearrested, for example on her return from a foreign trip?

4. Is Mrs Zana able to pursue her political activities unhindered?

5. Can Mrs Zana expect compensation for her ten years' imprisonment?

6. How does the Commission explain the fact that an above-average number of Turkish asylum seekers were registered and recognised as political victims of persecution in 2003 and 2004 in Germany? How is that consistent with the Commission's recommendation that EU accession negotiations be opened with Turkey?

OJ C 125, 29/05/2006