[refugee-rights] Un expert says Turkey open to tackling problem of internally displaced persons

UN EXPERT SAYS TURKEY OPEN TO TACKLING PROBLEM OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
New York, Jun  5 2002  3:00PM

A United Nations expert just back from a visit to Turkey today reported 
that the authorities in Ankara are open to tackling the problems faced by 
the country's internally displaced population.

Francis Deng, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Representative on Internally 
Displaced Persons, said his visit to Turkey from 27 to 31 May had revealed 
"that an opportunity now exists for the international community to assist 
the Government of Turkey in the challenging task of facilitating the 
voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration of the displaced population."

Mr. Deng had initiated his trip in response to international concerns over 
the conflict in the southeast of the country between security forces and 
the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). There was a "widely shared perception 
that the Government has been largely in denial of the problem to the point 
of not seeking international assistance in meeting the needs of those 
affected," he noted.

Following his extensive talks with Turkish officials, Mr. Deng reported a 
gap between the negative perception of Government policy and the positive 
attitude he found during his mission. "Discussions with ministers and 
officials at all levels revealed surprising openness and transparency on 
the part of the authorities to discuss the various aspects of the 
displacement problem, including its causes, in particular the conflict in 
the south-east and the responsibility of both sides for the displacement of 
the civilian population, as well as the steps which are being taken to 
facilitate the return and resettlement of the internally displaced," he said.

He also hailed the Government's decision to lift the state of emergency in 
two of the four affected provinces during his mission, and the declared 
policy of lifting it in the remaining two in the near future.

The Representative, who will report his findings to the Commission on Human 
Rights and the Secretary-General, called attention to the need for the 
Government to formulate a clear policy on the issue. He also recommended 
close cooperation among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the 
service of the affected communities.

"An open and constructive partnership involving the Government, civil 
society, and international agencies would serve to facilitate the timely 
and effective implementation of the Government's return policy, while at 
the same time alleviating the concerns expressed by NGOs and improving the 
perception of the problem, both within and outside the country," Mr. Deng 
said.