NDM6999 Plaid Cymru debate - The Kurds in Turkey
NDM6999 Plaid Cymru debate - The Kurds in Turkey
NDM6999 Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Notes that, whilst foreign affairs is a matter currently reserved to the UK
Government and Parliament, Section 62 of the Government of Wales Act 2006
provides that “The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General
may make appropriate representations about any matter affecting Wales”.
2.
Recognises the substantial Kurdish community in Wales.
3.
Notes that a resident of Wales - İmam Sis, a young Kurdish man - is on an
indefinite, non-alternating hunger strike as of 17 December 2018, which was
initiated to protest the isolation of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan who
has been imprisoned by Turkey since 1999 under conditions which are understood
to contravene the Turkish state’s legal obligations in relation to human
rights.
4.
Notes that hunger strikes are taking place across Europe and the world,
including by Leyla Güven, an elected member of the Turkish Parliament.
5.
Notes that Turkey is a signatory to several international human rights
treaties, including the European Convention of Human Rights as a member of the
Council of Europe.
6.
Expresses its concern at the reasons behind the hunger strikes.
7.
Recognises that the ultimate aim of the hunger strikes is to see a peaceful,
political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey.
8.
Affirms the importance that human rights obligations are upheld in Turkey.
9.
Calls on the Welsh Government, on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, to
write to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment calling for the committee to visit Imrali Prison to
assess the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan.
The following amendments
were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
In
point 3, after ‘isolation of the Kurdish’, insert ‘PKK (Kurdistan Workers’
Party)’.
Amendment
2 - Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
Insert
new points after point 3 and renumber accordingly:
Notes
that the PKK is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK, the European
Union, and the United States of America.
Condemns
all terrorist acts perpetrated by the PKK and acknowledges the victims and
civilians killed and caught up in their attacks.
Acknowledges
the right of Turkey to defend itself against terrorist attacks by the PKK.
Amendment
3 - Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
Delete
point 7 and replace with:
Recognises
that the aim of the hunger strikers is to enable Abdullah Öcalan access to
legal representation and contact with his family.
Amendment
4 - Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
Insert
new point after point 8 and renumber accordingly:
Notes
that the UK Government’s Foreign Secretary and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to
Turkey have emphasised to the Turkish government the need to respect human
rights, avoid civilian casualties and return to the peace process.
Amendment
5 - Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls
upon the PKK to abandon terrorism as a means to furthering its aims and return
to the peace process.
Business type: Debate
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 09/06/2021
Decision due: 20 Mar 2019 by Plenary - Fifth Senedd
Lead member: Rhun ap Iorwerth MS