Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005.

Turkey: Human Rights

Question: Whether they have made representations to the Turkish Government over the suspended sentence given to Hrant Dink for writing articles concerning the alleged massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

Answer: Our Ambassador in Ankara raised freedom of expression and the conviction of Hrant Dink with the Turkish Foreign Minister on 9 November and his comments were well covered the following day in the Turkish press. We will continue to raise this case and to urge the Turkish Government to safeguard freedom of expression.I also refer the noble Lord to the comments by my right honourable friend the Prime Minster on freedom of expression and Turkey on 23 November (Official Report, col. 1507), and to the references made to the conviction of Hrant Dink at the Adjournment Debate of 15 November in the other place on 15 November (Official Report, cols. 942–950).

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2746; 676 c155WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Orhan Pamuk
Tuesday, 15 November 2005
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 23 November 2005
Oral questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Convictions Armenia Crimes against humanity Freedom of expression Journalism Press freedom World War I Turkey Dink, Hrant
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk