PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
TURKISH GOVERNMENT ACTIONS TOWARDS NGOS (16 November 2016)

That this House is gravely concerned by the continued assaults on political and human rights by President Erdogan's government in Turkey and the closure of so many non-governmental organisations, including organisations which assist women and refugees, the Rojava Association a charitable organisation which was raising money to support refugees from Kobane and had helped the victims of flooding in Turkey, the Free Women's Congress (KJA) an organisation that played a major role in Kurdish and Turkish Society for over 40 years, supported women's groups that tackled domestic violence, provided education, fought for women's liberation, democracy and helped them establish businesses as well as providing a strong voice for women across the region; notes the case off the KJA whose building in Diyarbakir was raided and shut down by Turkish security forces on 12 November 2016; argues that the closure of 370 organisations and imprisoning democratically elected MPs is a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; calls on the Government and the Council of Europe to intervene and use its influence over the Turkish government to end its persecution and prosecution of legitimate critics and opposition; and to make statement as a matter of urgency to outline such representations.

Sponsored by:
Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party)