European Parliament, Brussels, 16 - 17 October 2006

The Third International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds closed today with renewed commitment and calls for genuine progress in the field of human rights in Turkey through implementation and the re-evaluation of reforms so far enacted.

The conference heard from academics, politicians, human rights advocates and experts from around the world discussing the varied aspects of the human and minority rights aspects of the Kurdish question in Turkey. Speakers included esteemed lawyer Eren Keskin, Mayor Osman Baydemir, Richard Howitt MEP and Sinasi Haxnedar of Mazlum-Der. The situation of women and IDPs; Turkey’s Anti-Terror law; the revised penal code and its influence on freedom of expression, association and press freedom; and the prospects for peace and reconciliation created by the EU accession process, were amongst the topics discussed.

The conference ends today with the declaration of resolutions from the EU, Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC). The resolutions include a message of support for the month-old ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. A full text of the resolutions will be available from www.eutcc.org.

About the EUTCC

In November 2004 the Rafto Foundation, Kurdish Human Rights Project and Medico International hosted the first conference on EU Turkey and the Kurds in the European Parliament. As an outcome of this historic event, these organisations and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales established a standing Civic Commission, the EU-Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC). Due to the vibrancy of the dialogue of the 2004 conference, a second EUTCC conference was held in September 2005.

The EUTCC is in favour of Turkish EU membership because the EU route remains the greatest hope for securing a civilised, democratic and pluralist Turkey in which a negotiated political solution to the Kurdish question is realised, but only if progress towards membership is based on tangible improvements in the protection of human rights and freedoms and the tackling of the plight of the Kurds is firmly integrated into accession negotiations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Kariane Westrheim, Chair of the Board of Directors, EUTCC, Tel: +47 555 88 797 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jon Rud, Secretary General, EUTCC, Tel: +34.965846645 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kerim Yildiz , Treasurer, EUTCC, Tel: +44 (0) 207 405 3835 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hege Ekeland, Project Assistant, EUTCC, Tel: +47 93 22 17 36 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it