Motion text
That this House expresses grave concern over the sentencing of elected Kurdish MP Idris Baluken on 4 January 2018 to 16 years and eight months in jail; notes that Mr Baluken has been an elected parliamentarian in Turkey since 2011, and has played an active role as a mediator in peace process negotiations between the Turkish state and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); further expresses concern that on 5 January 2018 former MP Sebahat Tuncel was sentenced to two years and three months in prison for speaking at a Kurdish New Year event; further notes that Tuncel, a women's rights advocate and former nurse, was targeted for her advocacy for Kurdish rights and senior position in the Peoples' Democratic Party; expresses concern over the sentencing to prison of four other HDP officials and MPs Aysel Tugluk, Leyla Birlik, Nursel Aydoglan and Adem Geveri; condemns the political nature of these arrests and trials which took place in the context of a state of emergency, along with the simultaneous arrest of almost 100 HDP elected politicians and thousands of activists (EDM 602); condemns this attempt to eliminate Kurdish MPs from the Turkish parliament, denying millions of their democratic voice; expresses concern that the judiciary seems to be guided in these matters by the Turkish Government; notes that this judicial process has been described by Idris Baluken as political genocide; calls for the immediate release of HDP politicians from prison; and further calls for the Government to urge Turkey to stop its politically-motivated repression of the HDP.
Signatures (35)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Morris, Grahame
Labour
Signed on
10 January 2018
Carden, Dan
Labour
Signed on
10 January 2018
Mearns, Ian
Labour
Signed on
10 January 2018
Hill, Mike
Labour
Signed on
10 January 2018
Pidcock, Laura
Labour
Signed on
10 January 2018
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
10 January 2018
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Bardell, Hannah
Scottish National Party
Signed on
17 January 2018
Blackman, Bob
Conservative
Signed on
11 January 2018
Bottomley, Sir Peter
Conservative
Signed on
15 January 2018
Brown, Alan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
22 January 2018
Campbell, Mr Ronnie
Labour
Signed on
17 January 2018
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on
11 January 2018
Davey, Sir Edward
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
18 January 2018
Day, Martyn
Scottish National Party
Signed on
11 January 2018
Edwards, Jonathan
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
15 January 2018
Gapes, Mike
Labour
Signed on
24 January 2018
Gethins, Stephen
Scottish National Party
Signed on
24 January 2018
Glindon, Mary
Labour
Signed on
17 January 2018
Hendry, Drew
Scottish National Party
Signed on
22 January 2018
Hepburn, Mr Stephen
Labour
Signed on
22 January 2018
Hermon, Lady
Independent
Signed on
18 January 2018
Hopkins, Kelvin
Independent
Signed on
17 January 2018
Law, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
17 January 2018
Lucas, Caroline
Green Party
Signed on
18 January 2018
Martin, Sandy
Labour
Signed on
19 January 2018
Morgan, Stephen
Labour
Signed on
16 January 2018
Newlands, Gavin
Scottish National Party
Signed on
16 January 2018
Rimmer, Ms Marie
Labour
Signed on
15 January 2018
Russell-Moyle, Lloyd
Labour
Signed on
15 January 2018
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
15 January 2018
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
11 January 2018
Sheppard, Tommy
Scottish National Party
Signed on
17 January 2018
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on
11 January 2018
Walker, Thelma
Labour
Signed on
18 January 2018
Williamson, Chris
Labour
Signed on
25 January 2018
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.