CONFLICT IN TURKEY

That this House believes that the continuing conflict between Turkey and its Kurdish population and the recent passing of the Anti-Terror Law in Turkey remains an obstacle to peace and democratic reform in the country and inhibits progress on accession to the European Union; welcomes the latest unilateral ceasefire by the PKK and other Kurdish organisations, including Kongra-Gel, announced in October; calls on the Government to urge the government of Turkey to reciprocate by ceasing military operations against the Kurds and to enter negotiations with true and legitimate representatives of the Kurdish community in south-east Turkey for a political and lasting solution to the Kurdish question; believes that in this respect the ongoing ban on Kongra-Gel amounts to a serious obstacle to progress; and thus calls on the Government to review the ban and likewise to press for the European Union to do the same.