13/01/2011 Monitoring
“The implementation of reforms by Turkey will be closely monitored,” said Josette Durrieu (France, SOC), PACE rapporteur for the post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey, at the end of her initial fact-finding visit to Turkey from 8 to 12 January 2011. "There are positive trends and real progress has been made. However, there are still major problems with regard to the length of detention on remand and court proceedings, the functioning of the judicial system, freedom of expression and the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as all problems relating to national minorities and to their use of their language."
The Kurdish problem was at the centre of discussions just as the trial of 151 human rights activitists, elected representatives and journalists was being resumed in Diyarbakir. Ms Durrieu said that Europe was fully aware of the tragic events which had taken place in South-East Turkey and of the fact that terrorist acts had caused 40 000 deaths. “It is however time to address the issue of national minorities’ right to maintain, develop and express their identity in Turkey – as established in Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1380 (2004) – calmly and peacefully. The Council of Europe is the watchdog of human rights and, of course, of the rights of national minorities, " she said.
"After the elections in June 2011, and in light of the steps taken to reform the Constitution, it will be necessary to study the situation in Turkey and the objectives that need to be fixed. In continuing its democratic reforms, in keeping with European standards, Turkey will have the opportunity not only to prove its determination to become a member of the European Union but also to strengthen its vital role in the Middle East,” Mrs Durrieu concluded.
During her visit to Istanbul, Diyarbakir and Ankara, Mrs Durrieu held talks with the Ministers of Justice and National Education, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Head of the Turkish delegation to PACE and the leaders of the main political parties, as well as religious leaders, the heads of NG0s and the media.