EP publishes resolution on the 2013 EU-Turkey Progress Report

The European Parliament has published a resolution in response to the European Commission’s 2013 Progress Report for Turkey’s Europe accession process.

The resolution expresses ‘concern’ about corruption scandals in the Turkish government and judiciary, the excessive use of police fore against anti-government protesters last June, and about poor levels of freedom of expression and media pluralism that do not reach ‘European standards’.

On the Kurdish conflict, the resolution supports what it calls the “government’s initiative of striving for a settlement with the PKK, with the aim of putting a definitive end to the PKK’s terrorist activities”. It “welcomes the fact that education in Kurdish is now allowed in private schools and encourages the government to put in place the necessary reforms aimed at promoting the social, cultural, and economic rights of the Kurdish community”. It goes on to briefly acknowledge there are still “several” Kurdish politicians, mayors, local councillors, unionists, lawyers and human rights defenders who have been arrested as part of the KCK trials, but does not acknowledge they are political prisoners  and makes no recommendation that they should be released.

You can download the resolution here.

EP Foreign Affairs committee drafts response to 2013 progress report

The European Parliament Foreign Affairs committee (AFET) has produced a draft report on the European Commission’s 2013 (EU Enlargement) Progress Report on Turkey, published in October this year.

The AFET is the first body within the European Parliament to assess the EC’s yearly progress reports and this draft is the first indication of the European Parliament’s official position on the report. AFET Report will be adopted most probably in January 2014 (the deadline for amendments is foreseen for next 8th of January, an AFET meeting is scheduled for the end of January), and then, after its adoption in AFET, it will be sent to the E.P. Plenary for final adoption in STRASBOURG. Before the final adoption of the report in March, there is an opportunity for interested parties to suggest amendments to the report. Peace in Kurdistan campaign made its own submissions last year, and will do so again this year.

You can download a copy of the AFET draft report here.

EC publishes 2013 Turkey progress report

The European Commission has published the 2013 progress report for Turkey’s accession process. The key findings are below, and the full report can be downloaded here (pdf): Turkey 2013 Progess Report

 

European Commission

MEMO

Brussels, 16 October 2013

Key findings of the 2013 progress report on Turkey

The Commission’s 2013 Progress Report on Turkey highlights a number of important steps taken by Turkey over the past 12 months, notably the adoption of a fourth judicial reform package and the start of a peace process to end terrorism and violence in the Southeast of the country. At the same time, the report emphasises the pressing need to develop a truly participatory democracy, able to reach out to all segments of society, as well as the clear requirement to further amend criminal legislation and reform its interpretation by the courts so as to ensure respect for fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. These issues underline the importance for the EU to enhance its engagement with Turkey, especially on fundamental rights, so that it remains the benchmark for reforms in the country.

EP passes resolution on Turkey Progress Report

The European Parliament held a plenary debate yesterday to discuss a resolution on the 2012 Turkey Progress Report, published last autumn. Peace in Kurdistan has followed the process closely and provided a submission to the draft resolution, which you can read below.

The final resolution was adopted yesterday, and can be downloaded here.

 

PEACE IN KURDISTAN CAMPAIGN                                                                APRIL 2013

 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Motion for a resolution on the 2012 Progress Report on Turkey

 Presentation by Peace in Kurdistan campaign for discussion of the draft motion on the 2012 Progress Report on Turkey, to be discussed in the plenary of the European Parliament on 17 April 2013.

Set journalists free in Turkey: EFJ Campaign update

Here is the latest news update from the Set journalists free in Turkey campaign, organised by the European Federation of Journalists:

• (18 Oct 2012) No let-up in judicial harassment of journalists since July reform
  Despite Law 6325’s adoption in July, the media continue to be the target of constant judicial harassment, in which the KCK and Ergenekon trials are just the most visible cases. full report link
• (18 Oct 2012) Ankara Under Fire for Journalists’ Treatment
  The European Union has strongly criticized Turkey for its record on media freedom in its annual report on the progress of prospective EU members. The EU says “increasing concerns” about court cases against reporters endanger Turkey’s bid for membership. The rights group International Federation of Journalists reports there are around 75 journalists currently jailed in Turkey, mainly because of how they covered issues deemed by the government to be controversial. full report link