Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-28-Speech-3-063"
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"en.20050928.3.3-063"2
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"Mr President, last week, I was in Turkey for talks with NGOs and the government about my report on women’s rights in Turkey that this House adopted before the summer. The government is taking the report very seriously and has started to get new projects moving and to enact new legislation. In fact, the Minister told me that the number of relief centres has increased from 15 to 26.
While I was in Turkey, many things have happened that have given people in both Turkey and the European Union much to think about. The problems concerned were a conference about the Armenian issue, the persecution of Orhan Pamuk, the recognition – or not, as the case may be – of Cyprus, and the closure of an organisation that stands up for the rights of homosexuals, Kaos-GL.
I can tell you from first-hand experience that the conference on the Armenian issue, despite claims in various media to the contrary, did take place. In the end, the conference took place at the Bilgi University where I was, as it happens, giving a speech on women’s rights at the same time.
I have also spoken, in Turkey, with Orhan Pamuk, the author, who is hopeful that the whole thing will fizzle out. He was also somewhat taken aback at the commotion in Europe. The Pamuk case indicates how important freedom of expression is. Whilst a government may not be able to interfere in the independent administration of justice, it can change laws that cause confusion in its interpretation.
As far as Cyprus is concerned, I was given the assurance that the Turkish Government would certainly recognise Cyprus once a sustainable solution has been found for the whole of the island. The good news about the homosexual rights organisation Kaos-GL is that it is still active, but I would urge the Turkish Government to leave NGOs such as this one alone. They too must be able to take part in public debate openly.
I would call on both Turkey and the EU to remind themselves of what is at stake when the membership negotiations open on 3 October. I wish Turkey and the EU much wisdom and patience on that day and in the days to come."@en1
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