RESOLUTION B3-0195, 0282 and 0285/93

Resolution on human rights in Turkey

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its previous resolutions on relations between the EEC and Turkey,

B.aware of the case of Nazli Top, a 20-year-old nurse, who was apparently repeatedly tortured and beaten for four days at the antiterror branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters, and aware that a subsequent medical examination supported Ms Top's claim that she had been tortured,

C.aware that in 1992 alone some 20 journalists, including several Kurds, were murdered in Turkey and that none of these cases have so far been solved and particularly dismayed at the murder in late January of the journalist Ugur Mumcu, one of the most outspoken champions of democratic fundamental rights, journalistic freedoms and secular values,

D.whereas the German freelance journalist Stefan Waldberg was sentenced to 3 years' and 9 months' imprisonment in Turkey for 'complicity with the rebellion',

1.Condemns the continued violation of human rights in Turkey and particularly the use of torture,

2.Condemns the treatment of Nazli Top by the Istanbul police and demands in particular that a full and impartial investigation into the alleged torture of Ms Top be conducted and that those found to be responsible be brought to justice,

3.Calls for sustained efforts to shed light on the murder of the journalists;

4.Calls for the immediate release of the German journalist Stephan Waldberg, who was allegedly tortured while being questioned;

5.Calls on the Turkish Government to ensure the safety of journalists in Turkey and to guarantee free reporting in the Kurdish areas;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, EPC, the Turkish Government and Amnesty International.