Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Monday, 30 April 2012.

Turkey

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 23 April (WA 379), what are the recent steps taken by the Turkish Ministry of Justice that they welcome.

Answer: On 16 March, the Turkish Ministry of Justice announced a judicial reform package designed to improve freedom of expression and to resolve outstanding European Court of Human Rights cases in a shorter time period. The Government welcome the announcement of the reform package. This is an opportunity to address excessive pre-trial detention of journalists, political activists and others. Along with our European Union, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Council of Europe partners, we will continue to press for further progress on this urgent issue. The Minister for Europe, my right honourable friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) recently raised human rights concerns with European Affairs Minister, Egemen Bagis in a meeting in March. We hope to see real and lasting improvements made.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16841; 736 c431WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Turkey
Monday, 23 April 2012
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Administration of justice Turkey
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk