Subject: Stoning of Semsiye Allak in the village of Yalim, Turkey

E-2392/03EN

Answer given by Mr Verheugen

on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

The Commission is aware of international press reports concerning the events mentioned by the Honourable Member.

As a Candidate Country, Turkey has undertaken to comply with the Copenhagen political criteria. These criteria include the principle of gender equality as well as economic, social and cultural rights. This has been made further clear as a priority under the revised Accession Partnership for Turkey to guarantee "in law and in practice the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all individuals without discrimination and irrespective of language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, religion or belief in line with relevant international and European instruments".

Already in its Regular Report published in 2002 [1], the Commission drew attention to the issue of honour killings and mentioned explicitly that in Turkey "honour killings qualify for reduced sentences, which may be further reduced if the accused is a minor".

In the sixth package of political reforms adopted by the Turkish Parliament on 19 June 2003, some measures have been taken to address the question of "honour killings". In particular, Article 453 of the penal code has been amended to increase the penalty for the killing of out-of-wedlock babies from four to eight years to six to ten years. Article 462, which foresaw a reduction of sentence in the case of honour killings, has been abrogated.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and in particular the implementation of these new provisions.