Swedish Parliamentarians Express Concern Over Lawsuits To Close Political Parties

ANKARA - A group of Swedish parliamentarians said they were concerned over cases filed to shut down political parties in Turkey.
"We are very worried concerning the constitutional case pending on the legitimacy of political parties," parliamentarians said on Monday.
The Swedish parliamentary delegation headed by Swedish deputy parliament speaker, Liselott Hagberg, attended a reception hosted by Swedish Ambassador in Ankara Christer Asp.
"Should the attorney general`s motion be the decision of the court, we see a risk for a delay in reforms and also a postponement of the European Union (EU) membership negotiations," they said in a statement released after the reception.
Turkey`s chief prosecutor filed a closure case in March against Turkey`s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and another one to close Democratic Society Party (DTP) in November 2007.
"According to Council of Europe`s Standards (also Venice commission), democratically founded political parties and politicians elected in fair and democratic elections should not be subjected to prohibition and forced to resign and/or desolvement of political parties," they said.
(YMB-BRC)