The Approach of the European Parliament to the Issue of Ethnic Minorities and Minority Rights in Turkey within the Context of the European Minority Rights Sub-Regime. JMWP No. 18.98, November 1998

Nas, Çigdem (1998) The Approach of the European Parliament to the Issue of Ethnic Minorities and Minority Rights in Turkey within the Context of the European Minority Rights Sub-Regime. JMWP No. 18.98, November 1998.

Abstract

[From the Introduction]. This paper attempts to analyze the position of the EP regarding the issue of ethnic minorities and minority rights in Turkey within the context of the European minority rights sub-regime. Firstly, the main features of the European human rights regime and the significance of minority rights in this regime will be studied with reference to international documents. Thereupon, the EP's role within this framework will be evaluated. Its position concerning minorities, and terrorist activities based on the demand for secession of an ethnic group within the EU and violations of rights of minorities in third countries will be studied by making reference to related resolutions. The consecutive part of the paper will focus on Parliament resolutions concerning the situation of minorities in Turkey by comparing the EP's attitude to minority issues within the EU. The EP's policy in this field will be questioned on the criteria of justness and consistency. Finally, Turkey's place within the European minority rights sub-regime will be explored.