Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 July 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 18 July 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Turkey

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Turkey regarding the article in the Turkish Penal Code which criminalises any mention of the Armenian genocide.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe (Mr. MacShane) to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 16 November 2004, Official Report, columns 1340–41W. The answer makes clear that it is the non-binding guidance to Article 305 of the Turkish Penal Code and not the code itself that advises that when receiving material benefits from a foreign individual or organisation"““a citizen who declares that the Armenian genocide took place during the First World War, can be pursued by virtue of this article.””"The European Commission has made it clear to Turkey that they expect the language not to be taken into consideration when interpreting Article 305.Our embassy in Ankara discussed the Penal Code, including this guidance to Article 305, with the Turkish Parliament ahead of its entry into force on 1 June 2005, and continue to work with the European Commission to ensure that Turkey meets its international legal obligations, including those concerning freedom of expression under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11863; 436 c1377W;436 c1377W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tuesday, 16 November 2004
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Freedom of expression Turkey