Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-04-13-Speech-4-183"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2000-04-13"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Human rights2
dcterms:Language	"sv"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20000413.7.4-183"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2000-04-13-Speech-4-1842
lpv:speaker	lp:Pierre Schori2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Conference of Delegation Chairs (1999-07-22--2000-07-31)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2000-07-31)3 chair; Delegation for relations with Japan (1999-07-22--2000-07-31)3 substitute; Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport (1999-07-22--2000-07-31)3 unknown; Socialdemokratiska arbetarepartiet (1999-07-20--2000-07-31)3 vice-chair; PES (1999-07-20--2000-07-31)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, two weeks ago, we met Akin Birdal in Ankara at the offices of the EU delegation. These were his words to us then: “For five months we have had a new Turkey. Now that the country has acquired candidate country status, we see opportunities for democracy and freedom in our country. In addition, the internal armed conflict has ceased and our relations with Greece have improved”. Those were Akin Birdal’s words. Akin Birdal was free at just that particular time because of what was termed ‘ill health’. However, he would shortly be forced to return to prison if he were too healthy. He also, of course, forfeited the right to be chairman of the Human Rights Foundation. His so-called crime was that he had spoken about the Kurdish people on World Peace Day. Because of this crime, and in accordance with Article 312 of the law in force, he was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and ordered to pay fines. Akin Birdal is a gentle and peaceful man. He still suffers from the after-effects of the attempt upon his life in the spring of 1998. In the course of our conversation, he said that he wanted democracy and a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question and that he saw the value of EU membership. He also commented on how important it was to abolish 152 laws and articles which limit freedom of expression and cause so many people to be put in prison. Mr Birdal was re-imprisoned the day after our conversation and after we had spoken with Prime Minister Ecevit about him. What we are seeing in this case is how an undemocratic system imprisons, persecutes and oppresses democrats. That is why, in our resolution, we are demanding that measures be taken swiftly to guarantee freedom of expression, reform the judicial system and release all political prisoners."@en1

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