The 1994 and 1995 editions of Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and the 1995 and 1996 editions of Amnesty International Report, which are available at Regional Documentation Centres, provide information on the above-mentioned subject.

The attached Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Reuters and Xinhua reports and Independent article, which provide information on the treatment of Turkey's Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) members in Syria during the period 1993 to 1996, might be useful.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 11 July 1996. BC Cycle. "Erbakan Wants Syria to Extradite PKK Chief, Reports Turkish Paper." (NEXIS)

The Independent [London]. 29 December 1993. Charles Richards. "Kurdish Leader Reported Killed." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 16 December 1993. BC Cycle. "Turkey Cannot Confirm Kurdish Rebel Leader's Capture." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua News Agency. 3 February 1995. "Turkey Welcomes Syrian Move of Arresting PKK Militants." (NEXIS)