B3-0158, 0160, 0169 and 0209/94

Resolution on local elections in Turkey in March

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to its previous resolutions about human rights in Turkey and the situation in the Kurdish populated provinces of the south-east, especially its resolution of 16 September 1993 on the assassination of Mr Mehmet Sincar, Kurdish MP in Turkey, and the situation of the Kurds in Turkey,

B.deeply distressed by the continuation and escalation of the conflict in Kurdistan, which has claimed several thousand victims,

C.concerned to ensure that at the forthcoming local elections on 27 March voters in the provinces under emergency rule can cast their votes freely, without fear of intimidation, believing that these elections may be a more significant test of opinion in the south-east than a national election,

D.convinced that a significant international presence at these elections would create a much greater climate of confidence,

E.believing that such an international presence during the March Nevroz Kurdish New Year celebrations last year helped to ensure there was no repetition of the mass violence and killing which had taken place the previous year,

F.having regard to the elections that have already taken place in Turkey, in which there was evidence of Turkey's efforts to make progress towards the stabilization of democracy,

1.Reiterates firmly its condemnation of the PKK and all other violent Kurdish groups, and reaffirms its commitment to the maintenance of the territorial integrity of the State of Turkey;

2.Reiterates firmly its condemnation of the violence against civilians practised by elements of the military and security forces;

3.Believes there can be no military solution to the situation in the south-east and that the 'Kurdish problem' can only be resolved by democratic means in a pluralist Turkey which recognizes the ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of its people;

4.Expresses its profound concern at the large number of activists of the HEP (Workers' Party) as well as Kurdish journalists who have been murdered in mostly unexplained circumstances;

5.Believes that legitimate non-violent political parties or groups may suffer constraints in mounting an election campaign and that the election arrangements should conform to international standards;

6.Calls for a cessation of military operations on all sides during the elections; urges that military involvement in the conduct and organization of the electoral process should be minimal and that maximum restraint should be exercised throughout this period;

7.Is concerned that the dissolution of the HEP Party, which had 18 Members of Parliament and was banned for being suspected of advocating Kurdish self-determination, may be followed by a ban or other measures against the DEP Party (Democracy Party), a legal pro-Kurdish political party which has succeeded the HEP, and which does not advocate violence;

8.Requests that the necessary steps be taken to send a mission of observers from the European Parliament to the provinces of the south-east during the election campaign and the election itself and requests the Turkish authorities to offer every cooperation with election monitors;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Government and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.