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[DOCID: f:hr133ih.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 133

  Calling for the immediate and unconditional release from prison of 
  certain Kurdish members of the Parliament of the Republic of Turkey.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 7, 2001

  Mr. Filner (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Pallone, Mr. 
  Kirk, and Mr. Bonior) submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Calling for the immediate and unconditional release from prison of 
  certain Kurdish members of the Parliament of the Republic of Turkey.

Whereas the friendship between the peoples of the United States and the Republic 
        of Turkey is based on a mutual respect and a shared commitment to 
        democracy, human rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas Turkey is now a candidate for membership in the European Union, a 
        community of nations likewise based on shared values of democracy and 
        human rights;
Whereas four former parliamentarians from the now banned Kurdish-based Democracy 
        Party (DEP), Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan, and Selim Sadak, 
        remain imprisoned at Ankara's Ulucanlar Prison; and
Whereas 153 Members of the United States Congress in 1997 signed a letter to 
        President Clinton calling for Leyla Zana's immediate and unconditional 
        release ``so that we may again welcome her to our shores'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives declares that the 
immediate and unconditional release from prison in the Republic of 
Turkey of the parliamentarians Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan, 
and Selim Sadak is a vital step in upholding due process in Turkey and 
facilitating Turkey's integration into the European Union.
                                 <all>

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