Recommendation 904
(1980)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 30 September and 1 October 1980 (16th, 17th and 18th Sittings) (see Doc. 4621, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 1 October 1980 (18th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Gravely concerned at the military intervention in Turkey, which, through the dissolution of parliament and the suspension of all activity by the political parties, as well as serious restrictions of trade union freedoms, has given rise to a situation incompatible with Article 3 of the Statute of the Council of Europe ;
2. Aware that in recent months Turkish democracy has been undergoing a profound crisis, as regards the functioning of institutions, the security of persons and property and in the economic and social fields, but considering that any action to strengthen democratic institutions must itself be based on observance of the law and of democratic principles ;
3. Taking note of the military leaders' declared intention to permit a rapid return to normal democratic life, an essential requirement for membership of the Council of Europe ;
5. Recalling that any temporary limitation of civil rights and freedoms must be applied in accordance with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, especially Article 15 thereof ;
6. Taking note, in this connection, of the communication of 12 September 1980 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey, made in accordance with the above-mentioned article, to the effect that the National Security Council had decreed a state of siege in all sixty-seven provinces of the country as from 12 September 1980 ;
7. Concerned at the information that many elected politicians are being detained ;
8. Reaffirming that the assumption of power by any group of civilians or military personnel that results in the overthrow of a system of parliamentary democracy, whatever the reason alleged, is contrary to the principles on which the Council of Europe is based ;
9. Taking note of the position of the European Parliament as set out in its resolution of 18 September 1980 ;
10. Calling upon the present Government of Turkey :
a to respect the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights ;
b to release without delay all elected politicians who have not gravely violated any law existing before 12 September 1980 ;
c to take prompt steps to prepare for a return to a democratic system, which implies, amongst other things, the right to establish freely political parties, trade unions and other democratic associations as well as the right to express one's opinions freely,
11. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :
a follow the developments in Turkey very carefully, in close liaison with the Parliamentary Assembly ;
b remind the Turkish Government that the Committee of Ministers has to take action in conformity with Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe if the Turkish Government does not take prompt steps as mentioned in paragraph 10 above.
