RESOLUTION 8.7.1982
on the political situation in Turkey

The European Parliament,

1. having assessed the dramatic deterioration of the political and economic situation in Turkey during the period preceding the military intervention of 12 September 1980,
2. noting the upsurge in violence which caused more than 5,200 deaths in two years, i.e. a rate of more than 20 deaths a day, and which was still increasing,
3. aware that this situation, Turkey's geographical position and the state of its economic development make it vulnerable to numerous attempts to destabilize it,
4. deeply regretting that this situation has led the armed forces to intervene in Turkey's public affairs through the National Security Council,
5. noting the improved internal security of Turkey and that the slowing rate of inflation has stabilized the country's purchasing power,
6. noting that the Turkish authorities have published a timetable for a procedure which will lead to free legislative elections being held by secret ballot in the autumn of 1983 or the spring of 1984 at the latest,
7. concerned at reports alleging the continued use of torture and the illtreatment of prisoners, but noting that the Turkish authorities have reaffirmed their intention to investigate all allegations and to punish officials found guilty of torturing prisoners,
8. concerned at the continuing drastic restriction on human rights, the temporary dissolution of the Parliament and a large number of trade union organizations, the substantial restriction on activities still permitted and restrictions on the freedom of the press,
9. disturbed by the continuing political trials of former politicians among others, the difficulties with which the defence counsel is confronted and the constant demands for the death penalty, which have now become routine,
10. aware of the complexity of the political and diplomatic situation in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly in Cyprus, and of the responsibilities of the EEC in this region,
11. noting Resolution 765 of 28 January 1982 of the Council of Europe,
12. having regard to the following motions for resolutions: (a) on the situation in Turkey (Docs 1-605/80, 1-606/80, 1-608/80),

(b) on the violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and the application received from the Republic of Turkey for membership of the European Community (Doc. 1-828/80),

(c) on relations between the European Community and Turkey (Doc. 1-113/81),

(d) on the persecution of the Kurdish people, particularly in Turkey (Doc. 1-125/81),

(e) on the forthcoming executions of Turkish trade unionists and the deterioration of the situation in Turkey (Doc. 1-376/81),

(f) on the condemnation of the military junta in Turkey (Doc. 1-377/81),

(g) on the situation in Turkey (Doc. 1-753/81),

(h) on suspending the Community's financial aid to Turkey (Doc. 1-765/81),

(i) on the situation of the Armenian people (Doc. 1-782/81),

(j) on the total break in relations between the EEC and Turkey (Doc. 1-5/82),

(k) on the recent arrest of peace supporters in Turkey (Doc. 1-39/82),

N. having regard to its resolutions of 10 April 1981 and 22 January 1982,

O. having regard to the report of the Political Affairs Committee (Doc. 1-304/82),

1. Requests the National Security Council to demonstrate that human rights are being respected, particularly in the case of persons on trial or in detention;
2. Calls on the Turkish Government to allow a delegation from the International Red Cross as part of a normal humanitarian mission to carry out an objective investigation of the situation in Turkish prisons;
3. Notes the speech made by the Turkish Head of State on 30 December 1981 giving details of the programme of transition towards democracy which was confirmed by the statement by the President of the Turkish Constitutional Commission last month according to which the new Turkish constitution will be put to a referendum in November 1982, and awaits the practical fulfilment of these promises;
4. Urges the Turkish authorities to adhere to and, if possible, bring forward the planned deadlines so that free general elections by secret ballot may take place in the autumn of 1983 or the spring of 1984 at the latest;
5. Calls on the Turkish Government to remove all restrictions preventing former Turkish political and trade union figures from taking part in public debate and from standing or voting in parliamentary elections;
6. Proposes to send a delegation representing all political opinion in the Assembly to act as observers during the campaign preceding the constitutional referendum planned for the autumn of 1982 as it has already done in associated or friendly countries.
7. Believes that Turkey, in this extremely critical period of history, should receive understanding from its Western partners, particularly the Member States of the Community;
8. Asks the governments of the Member States to consider what can be done to attract investment to Turkey, following the return to democracy which will directly contribute to the creation of worthwhile jobs for the local population;
9. Expresses the conviction that a just solution of the Cyprus problem based on the restitution of the Republic of Cyprus's sovereignty, leading to the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Republic's territory in line with the Nicosia agreements and the resolutions of the United Nations, inter alia Resolution 3212 (XXIX) which was adopted unanimously, would lead to a significant improvement in the European Community's relations with Turkey;
10. Calls on the Commission to recommend that the Council adopt the Fourth EEC-Turkey Financial Protocol as soon as the various stages of the return to democracy have been finally completed;
11. Decides not to renew the mandates of the members of its delegation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee of the EEC-Turkey Association until secret, free and direct general elections have been held to the Turkish Grand National Assembly and until the latter has been convened;
12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Foreign Ministers Meeting in Political Cooperation and the governments of the Member States.