German Green Groups at Turkish Parliament

Roth received information about torture claims, minority report, honor killings and freedom of expression in Turkey.

Roth asked Elkatmis about systematic torture claims, lifting of obstacles before freedom of expression, violence against women and honor killings.

Elkatmis said, "important reforms were fulfilled in Turkey in the last two years. Turkey had suffered very much from torture claims in the past, but now with the arrangements about the issue, there is no tolerance for torture."

Noting, "the torture is about to end," Elkatmis said, "I do not say there is no torture. All over the world, even in Germany, there can be torture incidents. There is no systematic and intensive torture in Turkey."

Recalling the legal arrangements about freedom of expression, Elkatmis said, "crime of thought is about to be eliminated. But there can be some sporadic events. Independent courts are concerned with that issue."

Noting, "gender equality is provided with legal arrangements which eliminate man-woman discrimination," Elkatmis said, "with the laws on prevention of honor killings, life sentence will be given to these crimes."

Noting, "I do not think there is a violence against women in Turkey very much," Elkatmis said, "this issue is related with education."