Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Arrest of Opposition Politicians: Turkey

16 March 2021 · 3 other contributors · 3,831 words

Opened by Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North

Responding minister: Wendy Morton

Democracy & ElectionsForeign AffairsReligion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Feryal Clark raised concerns about arrest of opposition politicians: turkey in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the Turkish Government's attack on free speech and pluralism since 2015, leading to the arrest of many HDP party officials, including Selahattin Demirta.
  • The AKP Government has appointed Ministry trustees to replace imprisoned opposition politicians in Kurdish majority provinces, undermining democracy.
  • The Minister committed to encouraging Turkey to implement its human rights action plan and align with European standards, while raising concerns about media freedom and human rights treatment.

Key requests to Government

The Government should work with NATO, European and global allies to impress on President Erdoğan the need to adhere to international treaties. Will the Minister raise with her Turkish counterparts the unacceptable attack on Kurdish populations and call for the immediate release of imprisoned politicians?

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North

The Turkish Government's attack on free speech and intolerance of pluralism in politics, the media, and religious minority groups should be alarming. Since 2015, the HDP party's success has been met with an all-out attack by the incumbent government, leading to the arrest of many democratically elected officials, including Selahattin Demirtaş for over four and a half years. The AKP Government has replaced imprisoned opposition politicians with Ministry-appointed trustees in Kurdish majority provinces, undermining democracy. In 2019, 48 out of 65 municipalities won by HDP were taken over by the Ministry of Interior, and 122 democratically elected councillors have been detained.

Other contributors (3)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The hon. Member highlighted human rights abuses in Turkey, including religious minorities; there is evidence that 140 Protestant families have been expelled from their homes and jobs due to the Islamic radical policy of the Turkish Government. When the Minister visits Turkey, will she please bring up the issue of the 140 protestant families who have been expelled from Turkey—or whose expulsion is pending—primarily because they are protestant Christians? Turkey is taking their houses and their jobs, and asking them to get out.

  • Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East

    The main opposition party, HDP, has suffered continuous harassment including over 700 arrests on 15 February this year. Women face abuse by uniformed authorities with many women politicians terrorised for defending basic human rights. Trade unionists are under constant attack and the UK Government signed a trade agreement without enforceable commitments for Turkey to respect labour rights.

  • Lloyd Russell-Moyle

    Politicians from opposition parties are routinely accused of bizarre crimes, trials have been moved to central court in Ankara making it difficult to defend themselves. 154 MPs had their immunity removed, with 54 being HDP and almost 100 from other parties. The removal of MPs should be rare but is becoming common as minority MPs start being targeted.

Government Response

Wendy Morton

I am grateful to the hon. Member for Enfield North (Feryal Clark) for securing this important debate on the arrest of opposition politicians in Turkey. The Minister noted President Erdoğan's intentions for reforms in 2021 and encouraged swift implementation of the human rights action plan with nearly 400 actions, while highlighting the need for Turkey to align with European standards as a fellow member of the Council of Europe. Concerns were raised about media freedom, treatment of human rights defenders, and the LGBTI community, alongside the arrest of HDP MPs linked to the PKK. The Minister urged the HDP to distance itself from the PKK if such links are proven accurate, expressing sadness over Turkish soldier and civilian casualties but registering concern at the large number of detentions and ongoing detention without trial of Selahattin Demirtaş. Concerns were also expressed about the delayed implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments for Demirtaş and Osman Kavala, alongside discouraging disparaging public statements targeting the LGBTI+ community. The Minister supported the rights of minority groups including Alevis, Jews, and Christians as per Turkish constitution provisions. Regarding the replacement of HDP mayors by state-appointed trustees in Turkey's south-east due to alleged PKK links, the UK condemned support for terrorism if proved accurate but called for fair legal processes respecting rule of law. The Minister noted concerns about allowing fair representation and local democracy essential for long-term health of Turkish society and international reputation, urging respect for opposition views without fear of reprisal. Trade and human rights were discussed with no compromise on promoting UK values globally while securing growth, investment, and trade. Concerns remained over extended pre-trial detention of Selahattin Demirtaş and the Minister called for his release alongside swift progress in promised reforms through the human rights action plan.

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