[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                TURKEY'S LATEST DEMOCRATIZATION PACKAGE

                                 ______


                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, on May 18 Turkey's coalition government 
unveiled a package of reforms intended to liberalize political 
activity. The program includes revisions of the constitution, and 62 
amendments to existing laws or new pieces of legislation. A major 
thrust of the package aims to remove obstacles that bar political 
activity by labor unions, associations, students and academics, which 
were imposed under military rule. The reforms also include creation of 
an Undersecretary's Office for Human Rights. The package is intended to 
improve Turkey's human rights image abroad and help prepare for closer 
links with the European Union when a customs union enters into force in 
1995.
  Mr. Speaker, this latest initiative represents a significant attempt 
to strengthen Turkish democracy. It comes at a time when Turkey faces 
major economic difficulties and an increasingly violent confrontation 
with Kurdish militants. I would point out however, that previous 
democratization packages have either failed to be adopted by the 
Turkish parliament, or have not been implemented. Given the seriousness 
of the problems facing the government, I hope that this package is 
swiftly approved and fully implemented.
  Mr. Speaker, while I do not wish to detract from this positive 
initiative on the part of Turkey's ruling coalition, I am obligated to 
point out that democratization is seriously undermined when individuals 
are arrested for nothing more than exercising freedom of speech. Six 
Turkish parliamentarians, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan, Sirri Sakik, Leyla 
Zana, Ahmet Turk, and Mahmut Alinak are facing the death penalty for 
non-violent pro-Kurdish expressions. Last week, Mehdi Zana, an 
independent Kurdish rights activist was also jailed for speech crimes. 
Mr. Speaker, a key benchmark of democracy is a tolerance of all non-
violent expression and a free exchange of ideas--however unpopular they 
might be. Despite the intentions of those who crafted Turkey's 
elaborate new reform proposals, Turkey's commitment to democracy will 
continue to be questioned as long as political prisoners remain 
incarcerated for simply expressing their beliefs, however unpopular.

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