Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-05-13-Speech-2-259"
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"en.20030513.11.2-259"2
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"Mr President, Leila Zana, winner of the Sakharov prize, at a time when her case is being reviewed due to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, has just called on the European Union to encourage reform by instigating accession negotiations with Turkey without delay. She claimed that this would speed up the democratisation process in Turkey.
Indeed, when will the Turkish powers finally embark on that path instead of continuing to harass democratic militants, as was still the case with the arbitrary requisitioning of the premises of the Turkish Human Rights Association, an association which already suffers frequent threats and intimidation?
The recent ban last March of the ADEP party is also unacceptable, given that this party clearly rejects any link with armed combat. The Constitutional Court of Ankara is thus adding to the very long list of penalties imposed on those who fight for the recognition of the Kurdish people’s rights. The Turkish powers are keeping rigidly to a way of thinking which not only harms the direct victims of oppression but also Turkish society as a whole and the image of the country abroad. Almost exactly a year ago, on 10 May 2002, the
delegation from Parliament considered that the ban on the ADEP would constitute a substantial step backwards for Turkish democracy. Sadly, that is now the case.
What conclusions can we draw from this?
We must avoid falling into the trap of the conservatives and other extremists here in Europe, who automatically exclude the Turkish people from the Christian club that the European Union would be. It would be criminal to stigmatise and isolate this nation by closing the doors to the Union in its face. That is why I would like to reiterate here my full support for the activities of those in Turkey who are demonstrating in favour of human rights, sometimes risking their lives. The democratic forces need to know that we are by their side to ensure that the day when it is possible to live and speak freely in Turkey comes as soon as possible.
The Council and the Commission therefore need to make a greater effort to ensure that the Turkish Government observes the Copenhagen criteria, in other words, that it promotes human rights and the rule of law. This commitment should be shown by commensurate financial support for the activities of associations working for democracy.
Lastly, following the reopening of the Leila Zana case and those of three of her colleagues a few days ago, I would like to express my hope that the European Parliament will be able to present Mrs Zana with her prize here in this hemicycle as soon as possible."@en1
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