British Foreign Office Minister Welcomes Release Of Former D.E.P. Deputies

ANKARA - British Foreign Office Minister Denis MacShane said on Thursday that decision of the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals to release four former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies, including Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak, demonstrated Turkey's commitment to the reform process and towards a framework for the exercise of fundamental freedoms.
In a press statement, MacShane said that this decision of the Turkish court, following the start of non-Turkish language broadcasting earlier this week should give further support to Turkey's bid for a decision at the end of the year to open accession negotiations with the European Union (EU).
MacShane said that British Ministers up to the highest level had urged for release of former DEP deputy Leyla Zana.
''I am delighted she is now able to talk, walk and breathe the air of freedom,'' MacShane added.
Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals decided earlier in the day to release for former DEP deputies including Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak.
Former DEP deputies had served 10 years of their 15-year sentence before they were freed on Thursday.
Many international organizations including the European Commission, European Parliament, welcomed the decision.
(BRC-AÖ) 10.06.2004