EU CRITICIZES TURKEY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.10.2009 20:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Committee’s annual report for Turkey
highlights flaws in spheres of protecting civil rights and ensuring
freedom of expression. Despite certain progress, the rights of Kurdish
population, national minorities and women continue to be restricted,
says the report published on Wednesday, October 14. The document
reflects the results of surveys conducted by the recommendation of
Turkish Government. 39% of female respondents reported being subjected
to violence, and 15% confessed to being victims of sexual assault,
AFP agency reports.

As a positive example, the report focuses on cases against several
high-ranking Turkish servicemen who plotted a government coup. Court
proceeding against alleged "putchists" is the first case in Turkey’s
history, says the document. Authors of the report also stress that
Turkish servicemen "continue misusing their political influence"
in the country. Thus, high-ranking officers have several times made
their own statements on policy and attitude towards Kurds, religious
minorities and a number of other political problems, Reuters reports.

Release further says that Turkey started its EU process in
2005. Certain member states of the Union, particularly France,
are against the Islamic country’s membership. Christian Party Bloc
in Germany also holds a negative stance on the issue and offers
"privileged partnership" as an alternative. Germany’s Free Democratic
Party does not actually object to Turkey’s becoming an EU member,
however, their leaders believe the country does not yet have relevant
prerequisites, DW-WORLD.DE reports.