This website is an archive of the work of Marietje Schaake in the European Parliament between 2009 and 2019. Marietje can be reached at marietje.schaake@ep.europa.eu

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Speech

Plenary speech on the situation in the South East of Turkey

20 Jan 2016
Marietje
On January 20, Marietje Schaake spoke in the plenary about the situation in the South East of Turkey. Marietje Schaake (ALDE) – Madam President, the deal on migration that Mr Timmermans rushed through at the most unfortunate moment seems to be the reason why the very dangerous situation in the south-east of Turkey is being met with deafening silence from the EU and its Member States, and that must end. Many topics other than migration need to be addressed – human rights and the rule of law and, crucially, the EU must call on the AKP Government to return to the peace negotiating table with the PKK, and they should end the disproportionate collateral damage on civilians. Terrorism can never be justified and the democratic path for the Kurdish people in Turkey is the key alternative that must be given room, and when academics call for an end to violence that is their freedom. It is essential for the EU to find in Turkey a reliable partner as a candidate Member State, as a NATO partner, and as an active member of the coalition against ISIS. That should be the priority of targets. Let us make sure and be cautious that counter-terrorism is not used as an excuse to restrict the freedoms and rights of people in Turkey altogether.

See also on Turkey:

12-01-2016 Written Question about the Appendix letter to the EU-Turkey deal

08-01-2016 VP Timmermans must address key concerns in Ankara, not only EU’s interest to curb the flows of refugees

2015

14-12 Written Questions on Turkey detaining 3,000 refugees after EU deal

10-12 Letter to European Commission President Juncker and First Vice-President Timmermans on the deal between the EU and Turkey

02-12 Media (Carnegie Europe) – Judy Asks: Is the EU Selling Out to Turkey?

01-12 Schaake responds to ruling ECHR Turkey

30-11 Media (New York Times) – E.U. Offers Turkey 3 Billion Euros to Stem Migrant Flow

10-11 MEP: Undermining of Turkish rule of law and freedom of expression are big concern for Europe

29-10 Media (Euronews: The Network) – Are refugees or civil rights the priority in Turkey? 26-10 Media (France24, Talking Europe) – The EU and Turkey: Who needs whom more? 20-10 Blog (Project Syndicate) – Talking Tough to Turkey 23-10 Letter to President Juncker and High Representative Mogherini concerning the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan 12-10 Written Questions on halting the broadcast of tv channels in Turkey