Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 5 July 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 July 2016. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 July 2016 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Turkey: Kurds

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey about the impact on the civilian population of current military operations in Lice and adjoining neighbourhoods in southeast Turkey; and whether they plan to propose a fact-finding visit to the region by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to investigate reports of widespread displacement of people from their homes.

Answer: The Turkish Government have said that over 300,000 people have fled their homes in the region. Our thoughts are with the victims of the PKK terrorist attacks, and the civilians who have been caught up in the violence. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and the Minister for Europe, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), and our Ambassador to Turkey, have discussed with the Turkish government the importance of respecting human rights and avoiding civilian casualties in the fight against terrorism. We believe the first responsibility for investigating any alleged violations falls to Turkey; and that the PKK needs to cease violence in order to create the conditions for political resolution of the difficulties in the south east.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL989
Session: 2016-17
Subjects: Armed conflict Turkey Internally displaced people International Red Cross Kurds PKK Red Crescent
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk