Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 19 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2003. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 June 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities in respect of their undertaking to ensure that Kurds in Turkey gain full political and social rights, including the right to learn and study the Kurdish language, by 2004.

Answer: Mr. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities in respect of their undertaking to ensure that Kurds in Turkey gain full political and social rights, including the right to learn and study the Kurdish language, by 2004. [115037] Mr. MacShane:: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary periodically discusses a range of issues with senior members of the Turkish Government, including progress in ensuring the rights of minorities in Turkey. Her Majesty's Government welcomes recent Turkish reforms which allow for the teaching in private schools and public broadcasting of minority languages, including Kurdish, but remains concerned that such provisions are limited in scope and that significant obstacles stand in the way of their effective implementation.

Secondary information