Sir, - I am glad to hear from the Embassy of Turkey (Irish Times, October 16th) that criminal proceedings are being taken against the security forces allegedly responsible for the death of Metin Goktepe, the journalist who died following detention in January this year. It is a pity that such prosecutions are so rare in Turkey.
Amnesty International is aware of the 1995 changes in Turkish law with regard to detention, but believed them to be totally inadequate. ban the Turkish Government explain why, even with these changes, dozens of prisoners of conscience remain in jail, why hundreds of others may face the same fate following their appeal, and why the instances of torture remain as high as ever? - Yours, etc.,
Regional Co-ordinator for Europe,
Amnesty International Irish
Section,
Sean MacBride House,
48 Fleet Street Dublin 2.