Dear Sir/Madam,
For eight years the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) has organised an annual international conference in the European Parliament, Brussels. These conferences have brought together Turks, Kurds and Europeans; politicians, MEP‚s representing most of the groups in the EU Parliament, NGO‚s, academics, writers, legal experts and journalists. In each conference a final resolution has been passed. The first conference led to the establishment of the EUTCC whose objectives are to promote human rights for all citizens in Turkey, respect and protection of minorities and a peaceful, democratic and durable solution to the Kurdish question. The EUTCC is an independent non-profit organisation licensed under Belgian law.
The 9th International Conference on EU Turkey and the Kurds ˆ „The Kurdish Question in Turkey - Time to Renew the Dialogue and Resume Direct Negotiations‰, will take place in the EU Parliament December 5-6, 2012. We hereby cordially invite you to attend the conference. We would be honored if you accept our invitation.
There is no conference fee but due to limited funding the EUTCC unfortunately cannot pay for either accommodation in Brussels or the cost of your travel. We hope you accept our invitation and look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. If you accept this invitation, please let us know as soon as possible by replying to guengl-kurds2012@europarl.europa.eu. Please note that in order to enter the European Parliament, details about your full name, your date of birth, address of residence and number of a valid document is required. Please include this information in your response to this invitation.
Respectfully yours
Kariane Westrheim Michael Gunter
Chair of EU Turkey Civic Commission Secretary EU Turkey Civic Commission
Kariane.westrheim@gmail.com MGunter@tntech.edu
IMPORTANT TECHNICAL INFORMATION
"HOW TO PARTICIPATE AND ENTER THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT"
An official "European Parliament personal badge / pass" will be provided to all participants to the Conference.
All participants MUST communicate to guengl-kurds2012@europarl.europa.eu the following information:
1) Name and surname
2) Date of birth
3) Place and country of residence (if possible, the full address of residence)
4) Number of a valid document (ex: passport, national ID, etc...)
This information must be sent to the above-mentioned mail before the 30th of November 2012 at 15h00.
Please note that NO ACCREDITATION will be accepted after this deadline, according to the rules established by the Security Department of the European Parliament.
Your "personal badge / pass" will be ready and delivered to you starting from 5th of December 2012 at 13h00. It will be available at the main entrance of the European Parliament (Place de Luxembourg - main European Parliament building "Altiero Spinelli" - just after the sliding doors you'll find a conference desk).
"The EU, Turkey & the Kurds"
C o n f e r e n c e C o m m i t t e e
Kariane Westrheim | Michael Gunter | Hans Branscheidt
Friday, 16 November 2012
PYD briefing news from Western Kurdistan and Syria 26.10.2012
Briefing News and Activities in West Kurdistan and Syria
The condemnation of brutal killing of the People’s protection Units (YPG) commander Nujin Derik in Aleppo.
The General Command of People’s Protection Units (YPG) issued a statement in 2 November 2012, condemning the brutal killing of Commander Shaha Ali Abdo known by nick name Nujin Derik by armed mercenary gang affiliated to Syrian Free Army (FSA). She was a leading commander within YPG in Aleppo and was on duty as peace messenger to deliver and handing back the bodies of those who died during the fighting after that armed group shot peaceful protestors in Ashrafiya, Aleppo in 26 October 2012. Once the bodies have been delivered as agreed, the betraying armed gang ambushed and shot a hand bomb on the messengers, where Nujin Derik had been injured and captured. YPG tried through mediator to call for her safety and release but the armed gang was threatening to kill her and on 2 November they announced her execution. YPG holds this armed group responsible for brutal killings of Nujin and Kurdish peaceful demonstrators and called the Kurdish people to protect themselves against these hired killer armed group who provoke to drag the Kurdish relatively peaceful region into the brutal sectarian violence.
Also the Executive committee of The Democratic Union Party announced a statement condemning the brutal killing of YPG’s commander in Aleppo Nujin Derik and called all Kurdish political parties, democratic institution and armed opposition to keep the Kurdish region out of the ongoing sectarian violence as this brutal sectarian violence is not serving the Syrian pro- democracy and freedom revolution.
Displaced Arabs in Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafieh Neighborhood: People Protection Units are protecting us:
Aleppo – The events that have taken place in recent days in neighborhoods `Sheikh Maqsud`and `Ashrafieh` increased the brotherhood between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen and strengthened among them equality and peaceful coexistence..
Where the IDPs confirmed the coexistence between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, and expressed their gratitude to the `Protection People Units`` that protect the region.
The “Democratic Society Movement“TEV-DEM: Kurdish people have the power and the readiness to defend themselves.
Qamishlo – the executive corporation of the Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM issued a statement to the public regarding the recent events in “kastal Jendo“ village -Efrin. Calling on all Kurdish people and all democratic institutions and organizations in the region to be alerted and do its duty to defend Efrin and all western Kurdistan.
It also called at the same time all Kurdish parties to clarify its position toward what is happening and work to respond to the attacks which target Kurdish presence. The statement also called on all Kurdish parties to leave all conflicts aside and rally around the defenders of the region. The Statement added that Kurdish people have the strength and readiness to defend themselves until the end.
.
The statement said: "The continuing attacks since three days ago on our people in“ Kastalh Jendo“ village and its surroundings did not stop. The groups which belong to the armed group of Amar Dadyka attacked again “Kastalh Jendo“ village where the “People Protection Units“ respond to them and defended our people there.
The statement stressed that: "the recent attacks have proved that these incidents are not local mistakes by some armed groups within some armed units, but comes within the policy of the Turkish state in the re-colonization of Kurdistan and control Kurdish region. Recurrence of these attacks are not the actions of some people as claimed by key figures and leaders in the armed groups, but are the result of a deliberate studied plan a time ago from certain parties to implement it on the ground. These parties are linked to Turkish state and to some chauvinism groups and aim to eliminate the relative freedom enjoyed by the Kurdish people in western Kurdistan in general. It should be noted that there are some Kurdish actors whose collaborate with attackers".
The statement continued: "The situation is very sensitive and requires attention and caution and full alert in these critical times. Therefore we call on all Kurds and all institutions and democratic organizations to be alerted and do their duty to defend Efrin and western Kurdistan. Also all institutions should rally around People Protection Union.
The statement stressed: "All the democratic forces in Syria should stand lookout for all the actions detrimental to the brotherly relations between Kurds - Arab and fail all the scheme swamp the blood that are trying to pass on the region. And we say that the only winner of any collision between Kurd - Arab will not be in the interest of the revolution nor in the interest of both peoples, but it will be in the interest of dominant powers, led by the Baathist regime and Turkish colonialism.
The statement concluded: “That is why we emphasize on the need to stay away from hostile the Kurdish people and attack them?. And confirm that Kurdish people will not stand idly in the face of any targeting of its regions and existence, and has the strength and readiness to defend themselves until the end."
Injury of One Member of People Protection Units during an attack of “ Ammar Dadyki“ group on “kastal Jendo“ village.
Efrin - an armed group affiliated to “ Ammar Dadyki“ group in the area of Izaz attacked on villages of "kastall Jendo, Qtma and Yazi Dag on Monday morning, injuring one member of the Protection People Units who was doing his duty in protecting the villages.
People Protection Union (YPG): the Supreme Kurdish Council and all the Kurdish parties should show its stand toward the events of Ashrafieh
Qamishlo - the General Command of People Protection Units issued a statement to the press and to the public opinion pointed out that the events that occurred in the neighborhood of Ashrafieh in Aleppo do not serve the objectives of the Syrian revolution. The statement indicated that there are some Kurdish parties that play a provocative role through continuing to meet with some armed groups, like
Dr. Abdeen of the Kurdish national Council and called the Supreme Kurdish Council to not remain silent and announce its stand towards these events.
According to the statement of YPG there were no official meetings so far between the armed groups and YPG units and their members are still detained by the armed groups, on the other hand there are a number of their captives by the YPG. And there are still 60 Kurdish civilians detained by the armed groups.
The YPG statement added that the reason behind releasing some Kurdish citizens (not all of them) is that our people were arrested by several groups. The statement also indicated that some armed groups on the highway Aleppo-Efrin are threatening, torturing and detaining Kurdish citizens.
These Events Do Not Serve the Revolution
A statement of YPG said also that these events do not serve the Syrian revolution: "We see these events against the Syrian revolution, because YPG and the free army are struggling against the Syrian regime. hasEML = false;
Members of the Kurdish National Council met with armed groups
The statement discussed the inducing role of some Kurdish quarters during the events in Ashrafya neighbourhood. In addition, there are still some Kurdish quarters who are mobilizing those armed groups and continuing meeting with them. During the last two days, some members of the Kurdish National Council met with those groups from among those who participated in that meeting: Dr. Abdeen(member of the Kurdish National Council) who is from Efrin and living in Aleppo up to now. He manifests himself in these meetings as a representative of the Kurdish People and discus with those armed groups how to work against People Protection Units. They are also discussing how to rhythm Kurdish Areas in Aleppo under the Control of the Free Army.
Kurdish Parties have to state their position
The General Command Statement also noted to People Protection Units that such attitudes do not serve the Kurdish Issue, they will not allow to continue this work in the Kurdish areas and they called the Kurdish Parties to announce their positions concerning these issues. In addition, the statement called the Supreme Kurdish Council to announce their positions of those parties and personalities that are willing to instigate a war between Free Army and Kurdish People. ‘’So far, the Supreme Kurdish Council did not anything yet, we have announced the name of the party. And now we announced the name of the person who wants to do some inciting actions. And if the Supreme Kurdish Council do not take an action, we see that this task has been left to us’’.
Respect to the Flag of Free Army
The statement noted that after the events that were happened in Kobane, some parties wanted to turn that into a trial, directed YPG and Free army to stand in the face of each other. The statement added that everybody knows the relation between YPG and Free army as they have helped each other in many respects. But YPG does not accept injustices. The statement continued saying ‘’ our concept of Freedom is different than the one of Free Army, they accept it and we respect their knowledge and accept it as a science to the martyrs of Syria, the Free Army understands this as well’’.
Actors are partners in the killing of Kurdish People
YPG Statement asked the Kurdish parties about the flag and what does it mean for you and for the Kurdish People. Added that ‘’Everyone should understand that events took place in Aleppo, but those who stand in the face of it, they want provoking problems and ultimately they are partners in the killing of Kurdish People. The sensitivity of this event are increasing day after day, and people who fought the Kurdish people wherever they are, they will be a target for YPG.
Everybody has the right of demonstrate
Regarding the decision to the demonstration by some Kurdish parties against YPG, ‘’ Some Kurdish parties have taken the decision to demonstrate on Tuesday against YPG in regards to the events of Kobani. Of course, everybody has the right to demonstrate, but we honestly say if this demonstration will cause trails or a reason of it, then our positions will be severe. The demonstration is the right of everybody if it has a democracy intention. We hope that everybody will act rationally. If some mistakes will take place by some of our young people, we think that this will be caused due to the inaction of some of the characters rationality and wisdom.
We are Playing Our Role in The Syrian Revolution
The statement indicated that People Protection Units YPG are taking its place in the Syrian revolution and struggling against the Baathist regime, and regarding that said : ‘’ Everybody should knows that we are not serving anybody, and they should not wait for a service to anybody, and we are not moving out of our Kurdish region and not interfering into out of these regions, we hope from The Free Army leaders to draw the power and get the benefit from YPG to improve the Syrian revolution, and if anything different happened, everybody should knows that we are able to defend ourselves and we will not accept otherwise, we hope that nobody will be a victim of this irritations/inducing and participate in it.
Amude People are Denouncing Alashrafia and Shekh Maqsoud Massacres
Amude- called by Revolutionary Youth Movement and Kurdish student confederation, thousands of Amude people demonstrated yesterday to denounce the brutal aggression of both Free and Syrian armies against Kurdish districts in Aleppo.
Demonstration in Shieh – Efrin Denouncing Alashrafia Massacre
Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Shieh – Efrin to denounce the massacre in Alashrafia.
Rajo-Efrin is Demonstrating in Solidarty of Alashrafya Victims
Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Rajo – Efrin to denounce the massacre which executed by Syrian army in Alashrafya, and the armed attack which carried out by armed group who related to Salaheldin battalion against the peaceful demonstration in Alashrafia and Sheikh Maqsoud districts in Aleppo city.
Arsha – Nova German Organisation is Distributing Human Aids in Qamishlo
Qamishlo- Arsha – Nova German Organisation started today distributing human aids to people who were displaced from the main cities in Syria to Qamishlo.
Kurds in Belbele are Demonstarting Denouncing Alashrafia Massacre
Efrin- Denouncing the massacre which executed by Syrian army in Alashrafya, and the armed attack which carried out by armed group who related to Salaheldin battalion against the peaceful demonstration in Alashrafia and Sheikh Maqsoud districts in Aleppo city where a lot of Kurds crowded in Belbele under slogan of ‘’ Revive Aleppo Resistance’’.
Demonstrators raised signs said: Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafia We are Coming , Kurdish People Union and People Protection Units are the existence of Western Kurdistan, Is a Shot Stoppage is an Attack Against Kurdish People?!, Aleppo Kurds are not alone, We refuse to transfer Kurdish areas into ash square, No Free Army No Syrian army, Long Live for Kurdish Resistance.
Leaders in YPG and Free Syrian Army Assuring the Involvement of Salah Eldin Battalion in Alashrafya Events
Qamishlo - Sipan Hamo (member of the general leadership of people protection units YPG) has announced that the armed groups opened the fire against Kurdish civilians in Alasharafia district on 26th of this month and they are Salaheldin battalion who have a relation with Azadi party Mustafa Juma wing.
Hamo announcement came through his participation in Ronahi TV phone call last Saturday, Hamo said that among 19 killed men of armed groups there were 7 Kurds one of them called Delkash who was already arrested once by people protection units because of his doubtful activities, but as replying to Azadi party call, YPG has released him that time.
Malik Alkurdi, the deputy of Free Army leader that the confusion inside the Kurdish parties family caused this sorrowful events.
And as per his announcement to Alkurdia News agency: that some political/military parties and specifically Salaheldin battalion who are promoting within free army member that they should end up the domination of PKK members on the district.
Thousands Of Kurds Demonstrate to denounce against Ashrafye and Sheikh Maqsoud Massacres
Efrin- Thousands of Kurds has demonstrated in Mobata –Efrin to denounce the criminal land aggressive actions which The Syrian army and The free syrian army has done againstKurdish people in in Alashrafya and Sheikh Maqsoud destrictsin Aleppo city.
Intransigence Of the Kurdish Parties and popularIrritation Status were the Reason Of what Happened in Kobani
Kobani- A responsible source in Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM in Kobani has declared to Firat news agency correspondent that the troubles which happened yesterday in front of some parties offices caused because of people congestion resulted of the attack which executed bysome parties who claim that they are belonging to the freeSyrian army in Alashrafya and Sheikh Maqsud andintransigence of some Kurdish parties.
he same source assured that Democratic Socaity MovementTEV-DEM has no problem with any flag, but they askedKurdish parties to remove the Syrian independency flag tocontain the issue ,but the intransigence of some Kurdishparties and the irritated people condition resulted a tension and assembly of the people in front of parties offices, which stumbled on the passage of people protection unit YPG, so they interfered to solve the issue.
The source indicated that these parties should have beenrespected the emotions of Kurdish people and showed itssolidarty with the people in denying the ugly crime whichexecuted by some parties who claim that they belong to Free Syrian Army in Alashrafya and the source indicated that the parties should be in the level of the sensitive historical accountability which Kurdish people is passing through it.
29.10.2012
The condemnation of brutal killing of the People’s protection Units (YPG) commander Nujin Derik in Aleppo.
The General Command of People’s Protection Units (YPG) issued a statement in 2 November 2012, condemning the brutal killing of Commander Shaha Ali Abdo known by nick name Nujin Derik by armed mercenary gang affiliated to Syrian Free Army (FSA). She was a leading commander within YPG in Aleppo and was on duty as peace messenger to deliver and handing back the bodies of those who died during the fighting after that armed group shot peaceful protestors in Ashrafiya, Aleppo in 26 October 2012. Once the bodies have been delivered as agreed, the betraying armed gang ambushed and shot a hand bomb on the messengers, where Nujin Derik had been injured and captured. YPG tried through mediator to call for her safety and release but the armed gang was threatening to kill her and on 2 November they announced her execution. YPG holds this armed group responsible for brutal killings of Nujin and Kurdish peaceful demonstrators and called the Kurdish people to protect themselves against these hired killer armed group who provoke to drag the Kurdish relatively peaceful region into the brutal sectarian violence.
Also the Executive committee of The Democratic Union Party announced a statement condemning the brutal killing of YPG’s commander in Aleppo Nujin Derik and called all Kurdish political parties, democratic institution and armed opposition to keep the Kurdish region out of the ongoing sectarian violence as this brutal sectarian violence is not serving the Syrian pro- democracy and freedom revolution.
Displaced Arabs in Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafieh Neighborhood: People Protection Units are protecting us:
Aleppo – The events that have taken place in recent days in neighborhoods `Sheikh Maqsud`and `Ashrafieh` increased the brotherhood between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen and strengthened among them equality and peaceful coexistence..
Where the IDPs confirmed the coexistence between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, and expressed their gratitude to the `Protection People Units`` that protect the region.
The “Democratic Society Movement“TEV-DEM: Kurdish people have the power and the readiness to defend themselves.
Qamishlo – the executive corporation of the Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM issued a statement to the public regarding the recent events in “kastal Jendo“ village -Efrin. Calling on all Kurdish people and all democratic institutions and organizations in the region to be alerted and do its duty to defend Efrin and all western Kurdistan.
It also called at the same time all Kurdish parties to clarify its position toward what is happening and work to respond to the attacks which target Kurdish presence. The statement also called on all Kurdish parties to leave all conflicts aside and rally around the defenders of the region. The Statement added that Kurdish people have the strength and readiness to defend themselves until the end.
.
The statement said: "The continuing attacks since three days ago on our people in“ Kastalh Jendo“ village and its surroundings did not stop. The groups which belong to the armed group of Amar Dadyka attacked again “Kastalh Jendo“ village where the “People Protection Units“ respond to them and defended our people there.
The statement stressed that: "the recent attacks have proved that these incidents are not local mistakes by some armed groups within some armed units, but comes within the policy of the Turkish state in the re-colonization of Kurdistan and control Kurdish region. Recurrence of these attacks are not the actions of some people as claimed by key figures and leaders in the armed groups, but are the result of a deliberate studied plan a time ago from certain parties to implement it on the ground. These parties are linked to Turkish state and to some chauvinism groups and aim to eliminate the relative freedom enjoyed by the Kurdish people in western Kurdistan in general. It should be noted that there are some Kurdish actors whose collaborate with attackers".
The statement continued: "The situation is very sensitive and requires attention and caution and full alert in these critical times. Therefore we call on all Kurds and all institutions and democratic organizations to be alerted and do their duty to defend Efrin and western Kurdistan. Also all institutions should rally around People Protection Union.
The statement stressed: "All the democratic forces in Syria should stand lookout for all the actions detrimental to the brotherly relations between Kurds - Arab and fail all the scheme swamp the blood that are trying to pass on the region. And we say that the only winner of any collision between Kurd - Arab will not be in the interest of the revolution nor in the interest of both peoples, but it will be in the interest of dominant powers, led by the Baathist regime and Turkish colonialism.
The statement concluded: “That is why we emphasize on the need to stay away from hostile the Kurdish people and attack them?. And confirm that Kurdish people will not stand idly in the face of any targeting of its regions and existence, and has the strength and readiness to defend themselves until the end."
Injury of One Member of People Protection Units during an attack of “ Ammar Dadyki“ group on “kastal Jendo“ village.
Efrin - an armed group affiliated to “ Ammar Dadyki“ group in the area of Izaz attacked on villages of "kastall Jendo, Qtma and Yazi Dag on Monday morning, injuring one member of the Protection People Units who was doing his duty in protecting the villages.
People Protection Union (YPG): the Supreme Kurdish Council and all the Kurdish parties should show its stand toward the events of Ashrafieh
Qamishlo - the General Command of People Protection Units issued a statement to the press and to the public opinion pointed out that the events that occurred in the neighborhood of Ashrafieh in Aleppo do not serve the objectives of the Syrian revolution. The statement indicated that there are some Kurdish parties that play a provocative role through continuing to meet with some armed groups, like
Dr. Abdeen of the Kurdish national Council and called the Supreme Kurdish Council to not remain silent and announce its stand towards these events.
According to the statement of YPG there were no official meetings so far between the armed groups and YPG units and their members are still detained by the armed groups, on the other hand there are a number of their captives by the YPG. And there are still 60 Kurdish civilians detained by the armed groups.
The YPG statement added that the reason behind releasing some Kurdish citizens (not all of them) is that our people were arrested by several groups. The statement also indicated that some armed groups on the highway Aleppo-Efrin are threatening, torturing and detaining Kurdish citizens.
These Events Do Not Serve the Revolution
A statement of YPG said also that these events do not serve the Syrian revolution: "We see these events against the Syrian revolution, because YPG and the free army are struggling against the Syrian regime. hasEML = false;
Members of the Kurdish National Council met with armed groups
The statement discussed the inducing role of some Kurdish quarters during the events in Ashrafya neighbourhood. In addition, there are still some Kurdish quarters who are mobilizing those armed groups and continuing meeting with them. During the last two days, some members of the Kurdish National Council met with those groups from among those who participated in that meeting: Dr. Abdeen(member of the Kurdish National Council) who is from Efrin and living in Aleppo up to now. He manifests himself in these meetings as a representative of the Kurdish People and discus with those armed groups how to work against People Protection Units. They are also discussing how to rhythm Kurdish Areas in Aleppo under the Control of the Free Army.
Kurdish Parties have to state their position
The General Command Statement also noted to People Protection Units that such attitudes do not serve the Kurdish Issue, they will not allow to continue this work in the Kurdish areas and they called the Kurdish Parties to announce their positions concerning these issues. In addition, the statement called the Supreme Kurdish Council to announce their positions of those parties and personalities that are willing to instigate a war between Free Army and Kurdish People. ‘’So far, the Supreme Kurdish Council did not anything yet, we have announced the name of the party. And now we announced the name of the person who wants to do some inciting actions. And if the Supreme Kurdish Council do not take an action, we see that this task has been left to us’’.
Respect to the Flag of Free Army
The statement noted that after the events that were happened in Kobane, some parties wanted to turn that into a trial, directed YPG and Free army to stand in the face of each other. The statement added that everybody knows the relation between YPG and Free army as they have helped each other in many respects. But YPG does not accept injustices. The statement continued saying ‘’ our concept of Freedom is different than the one of Free Army, they accept it and we respect their knowledge and accept it as a science to the martyrs of Syria, the Free Army understands this as well’’.
Actors are partners in the killing of Kurdish People
YPG Statement asked the Kurdish parties about the flag and what does it mean for you and for the Kurdish People. Added that ‘’Everyone should understand that events took place in Aleppo, but those who stand in the face of it, they want provoking problems and ultimately they are partners in the killing of Kurdish People. The sensitivity of this event are increasing day after day, and people who fought the Kurdish people wherever they are, they will be a target for YPG.
Everybody has the right of demonstrate
Regarding the decision to the demonstration by some Kurdish parties against YPG, ‘’ Some Kurdish parties have taken the decision to demonstrate on Tuesday against YPG in regards to the events of Kobani. Of course, everybody has the right to demonstrate, but we honestly say if this demonstration will cause trails or a reason of it, then our positions will be severe. The demonstration is the right of everybody if it has a democracy intention. We hope that everybody will act rationally. If some mistakes will take place by some of our young people, we think that this will be caused due to the inaction of some of the characters rationality and wisdom.
We are Playing Our Role in The Syrian Revolution
The statement indicated that People Protection Units YPG are taking its place in the Syrian revolution and struggling against the Baathist regime, and regarding that said : ‘’ Everybody should knows that we are not serving anybody, and they should not wait for a service to anybody, and we are not moving out of our Kurdish region and not interfering into out of these regions, we hope from The Free Army leaders to draw the power and get the benefit from YPG to improve the Syrian revolution, and if anything different happened, everybody should knows that we are able to defend ourselves and we will not accept otherwise, we hope that nobody will be a victim of this irritations/inducing and participate in it.
Amude People are Denouncing Alashrafia and Shekh Maqsoud Massacres
Amude- called by Revolutionary Youth Movement and Kurdish student confederation, thousands of Amude people demonstrated yesterday to denounce the brutal aggression of both Free and Syrian armies against Kurdish districts in Aleppo.
Demonstration in Shieh – Efrin Denouncing Alashrafia Massacre
Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Shieh – Efrin to denounce the massacre in Alashrafia.
Rajo-Efrin is Demonstrating in Solidarty of Alashrafya Victims
Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Rajo – Efrin to denounce the massacre which executed by Syrian army in Alashrafya, and the armed attack which carried out by armed group who related to Salaheldin battalion against the peaceful demonstration in Alashrafia and Sheikh Maqsoud districts in Aleppo city.
Arsha – Nova German Organisation is Distributing Human Aids in Qamishlo
Qamishlo- Arsha – Nova German Organisation started today distributing human aids to people who were displaced from the main cities in Syria to Qamishlo.
Kurds in Belbele are Demonstarting Denouncing Alashrafia Massacre
Efrin- Denouncing the massacre which executed by Syrian army in Alashrafya, and the armed attack which carried out by armed group who related to Salaheldin battalion against the peaceful demonstration in Alashrafia and Sheikh Maqsoud districts in Aleppo city where a lot of Kurds crowded in Belbele under slogan of ‘’ Revive Aleppo Resistance’’.
Demonstrators raised signs said: Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafia We are Coming , Kurdish People Union and People Protection Units are the existence of Western Kurdistan, Is a Shot Stoppage is an Attack Against Kurdish People?!, Aleppo Kurds are not alone, We refuse to transfer Kurdish areas into ash square, No Free Army No Syrian army, Long Live for Kurdish Resistance.
Leaders in YPG and Free Syrian Army Assuring the Involvement of Salah Eldin Battalion in Alashrafya Events
Qamishlo - Sipan Hamo (member of the general leadership of people protection units YPG) has announced that the armed groups opened the fire against Kurdish civilians in Alasharafia district on 26th of this month and they are Salaheldin battalion who have a relation with Azadi party Mustafa Juma wing.
Hamo announcement came through his participation in Ronahi TV phone call last Saturday, Hamo said that among 19 killed men of armed groups there were 7 Kurds one of them called Delkash who was already arrested once by people protection units because of his doubtful activities, but as replying to Azadi party call, YPG has released him that time.
Malik Alkurdi, the deputy of Free Army leader that the confusion inside the Kurdish parties family caused this sorrowful events.
And as per his announcement to Alkurdia News agency: that some political/military parties and specifically Salaheldin battalion who are promoting within free army member that they should end up the domination of PKK members on the district.
Thousands Of Kurds Demonstrate to denounce against Ashrafye and Sheikh Maqsoud Massacres
Efrin- Thousands of Kurds has demonstrated in Mobata –Efrin to denounce the criminal land aggressive actions which The Syrian army and The free syrian army has done againstKurdish people in in Alashrafya and Sheikh Maqsoud destrictsin Aleppo city.
Intransigence Of the Kurdish Parties and popularIrritation Status were the Reason Of what Happened in Kobani
Kobani- A responsible source in Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM in Kobani has declared to Firat news agency correspondent that the troubles which happened yesterday in front of some parties offices caused because of people congestion resulted of the attack which executed bysome parties who claim that they are belonging to the freeSyrian army in Alashrafya and Sheikh Maqsud andintransigence of some Kurdish parties.
he same source assured that Democratic Socaity MovementTEV-DEM has no problem with any flag, but they askedKurdish parties to remove the Syrian independency flag tocontain the issue ,but the intransigence of some Kurdishparties and the irritated people condition resulted a tension and assembly of the people in front of parties offices, which stumbled on the passage of people protection unit YPG, so they interfered to solve the issue.
The source indicated that these parties should have beenrespected the emotions of Kurdish people and showed itssolidarty with the people in denying the ugly crime whichexecuted by some parties who claim that they belong to Free Syrian Army in Alashrafya and the source indicated that the parties should be in the level of the sensitive historical accountability which Kurdish people is passing through it.
29.10.2012
Leading UK lawyers to observe anti-terror trial in Istanbul
Leading UK lawyers to observe anti-terror trial in Istanbul
A delegation of several prominent lawyers from the UK has arrived today in Turkey to observe a major anti-terror trial in Istanbul.
The delegation, which includes international human rights lawyers Margaret Owen OBE, Melanie Gingell, Bronwen Jones, and Ali Has as well as Tony Fisher, the chair of the Law Society’s Human Rights Committee, will spend three days observing the lawyers’ trial on 6 November and meeting with members of the defendants’ legal team.
On trial in this landmark case are 36 lawyers who have been charged with terrorism-related offences. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), which the lawyers are accused of being members of, is considered to the ‘urban wing’ of the prohibited PKK.
Dozens of international lawyers and members of bar associations who observed the first hearings of this case in July, have expressed grave concern over the legality of the trial.
As Tony Fisher states, "It is incredibly important that the international legal community shows it support for the Kurdish lawyers to ensure that proper respect is given to their right to a fair trial and to their right to practice their profession without interference by the state. I am delighted to be representing the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales on this mission."
As all of the lawyers were members of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s legal defence team, the lawyers stand accused of ‘membership’ or ‘support’ of terrorism, for defending their client’s rights in what is a highly politically sensitive case.
This trial is one of several on-going mass political trials in Turkey in relation to the KCK investigations. Turkey’s widely criticised and dangerously broad anti-terror legislation has led to around 10,000 Kurds being arrested since April 2009 and charged with membership of the KCK, including elected Kurdish deputies, local mayors and councillors, journalists, trade unionists, students and prominent academics.
In one of the major KCK trials, 205 people are being tried, while in September, 44 journalists from a variety of Turkish and Kurdish media also stood trial for association with the KCK.
Several hundred of those still detained are on hunger strike to protest their criminalisation and the refusal of the Turkish government to engage in peace talks with Ocalan.
Margaret Owen, who observed the first hearings in July, says, "This is a "political" not a legal trial. While there are many KCK (alleged urban arm of the PKK) trials going on at the present time in Turkey, involving politicians, academics, journalists, trade unionists and civil society activists, this trial has grave implications for Turkey's democratic credentials and her reputation as a suitable applicant to the EU because it is a trial of lawyers.”
She continues: “We hope to galvanise the international community to protest against the manipulation of the justice system by the Turkish authorities for political ends. We also are deeply concerned by the plight of the hundreds of hunger strikers among the political prisoners, many of whom are now facing death."
For information contact:
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella24@tiscali.co.uk <mailto:estella24@tiscali.co.uk>
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.wordpress.com
A delegation of several prominent lawyers from the UK has arrived today in Turkey to observe a major anti-terror trial in Istanbul.
The delegation, which includes international human rights lawyers Margaret Owen OBE, Melanie Gingell, Bronwen Jones, and Ali Has as well as Tony Fisher, the chair of the Law Society’s Human Rights Committee, will spend three days observing the lawyers’ trial on 6 November and meeting with members of the defendants’ legal team.
On trial in this landmark case are 36 lawyers who have been charged with terrorism-related offences. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), which the lawyers are accused of being members of, is considered to the ‘urban wing’ of the prohibited PKK.
Dozens of international lawyers and members of bar associations who observed the first hearings of this case in July, have expressed grave concern over the legality of the trial.
As Tony Fisher states, "It is incredibly important that the international legal community shows it support for the Kurdish lawyers to ensure that proper respect is given to their right to a fair trial and to their right to practice their profession without interference by the state. I am delighted to be representing the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales on this mission."
As all of the lawyers were members of the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s legal defence team, the lawyers stand accused of ‘membership’ or ‘support’ of terrorism, for defending their client’s rights in what is a highly politically sensitive case.
This trial is one of several on-going mass political trials in Turkey in relation to the KCK investigations. Turkey’s widely criticised and dangerously broad anti-terror legislation has led to around 10,000 Kurds being arrested since April 2009 and charged with membership of the KCK, including elected Kurdish deputies, local mayors and councillors, journalists, trade unionists, students and prominent academics.
In one of the major KCK trials, 205 people are being tried, while in September, 44 journalists from a variety of Turkish and Kurdish media also stood trial for association with the KCK.
Several hundred of those still detained are on hunger strike to protest their criminalisation and the refusal of the Turkish government to engage in peace talks with Ocalan.
Margaret Owen, who observed the first hearings in July, says, "This is a "political" not a legal trial. While there are many KCK (alleged urban arm of the PKK) trials going on at the present time in Turkey, involving politicians, academics, journalists, trade unionists and civil society activists, this trial has grave implications for Turkey's democratic credentials and her reputation as a suitable applicant to the EU because it is a trial of lawyers.”
She continues: “We hope to galvanise the international community to protest against the manipulation of the justice system by the Turkish authorities for political ends. We also are deeply concerned by the plight of the hundreds of hunger strikers among the political prisoners, many of whom are now facing death."
For information contact:
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella24@tiscali.co.uk <mailto:estella24@tiscali.co.uk>
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.wordpress.com
Friday, 2 November 2012
Kurdish News Weekly News, 26 October - 1 November 2012
1. Ten thousands crying out ‘We won’t remain in silence towards deaths’ in rally
28 October 2012 / Mesop
Ten thousands of people cried out “the freedom of Ocalan” in the massive rally that BDP Batman provincal organization organized to support the indefinite-irreversible hunger strikes of the imprisoned members of PKK and PAJK, which were launched on 12 September to force the government to “instantly and without condition” provide the circumstances of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s freedom, health and security, lift the bans and obstacles over mother tongue and meet/respect the democratic rights of Kurdish people.
http://www.mesop.de/2012/10/28/ten-thousands-crying-out-we-wont-remain-in-silence-towards-deaths-in-rally-feleknas-uca-in-batman/
2. Basque Abertzale Left calls for the fulfillment of demands by Kurdish prisoners
30 October 2012 / ANF
The Basque Abertzale Left has released a message in solidarity and full support to the demands of the 776 Kurdish political prisoners in an indefinite hunger strike in 58 Turkish prisons. Underlining three clear demands of dozens of prisoners who have progressively joint the hunger strike, the right to study, communicate and legal defence in their mother tongue, ending of the isolation of Mr Ocalan and creation of conditions for dialogue and negotiations, The Abertzale Left said in its message that “We consider that the Turkish authorities should immediately put an end to all human right violations against Kurdish political prisoners. They should recognize the national rights of the Kurdish people and therefore respect their linguistic rights inside and outside prisons”.
http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5286
3. Turkish Kurds' jail hunger strikes fails to move Erdogan government
25 October 2012 / Guardian
While many have hailed Turkey as a democratic role model since the start of the Arab spring, the country's treatment of its large Kurdish minority begs the question of whether such praise is justified. After months of increasing violence and the ever more hawkish stance of the AKP government, the Kurdish issue seems to have reached an impasse. Around 690 inmates in prisons across the country are taking part in a hunger strike, which was started on 12 September by 65 prisoners convicted of belonging to the outlawed Kurdish parties, the PKK and PJAK.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/25/turkish-kurds-hunger-strike-erdogan
4. VIDEO: The Stream - Turkey's Kurdish question
30 October 2012 / Al-Jazeera
Are Kurdish hunger strikers putting Turkish democracy into question? Or will Erdogan's government give into their demands?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F07TovjmFcI
5. A permanent ceasefire is the only hope for Syria
28 October 2012 / Guardian
The four-day ceasefire that went into effect on Friday should have been the first good news from Syria for several months. The initiative came from Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and Arab League's special envoy, and was accepted by Bashar al-Assad's government as well as several opposition commanders. Two Islamist groups rejected it outright and both sides put conditions on it. The government said it would respond to rebel attacks and the rebels said the government should not resupply its troops. The rebels seemed to be particularly sceptical of any ceasefire since they appear to believe the military momentum is with them, and they have always been wary of political negotiations unless Assad first resigns.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/28/permanent-ceasefire-only-hope-syria <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/28/permanent-ceasefire-only-hope-syria>
6. Turkey accused of pursuing campaign of intimidation against media
24 October 2012 / Guardian
Ankara is pursuing a systematic campaign of intimidation against the Turkish media, including the prosecution and jailing of writers, and demands for those who challenge government policies or actions to be sacked, two independent investigations have concluded. Reports issued in recent days by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the European commission point to a pattern of harassment of individual writers and broadcasters and official pressure on media company owners.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/24/turkey-campaign-intimidation-media
7. Journalist Receives Jail Terms for Newspaper Headline
24 October 2012 / Bianet
The Istanbul 15th High Criminal Court sentenced Reyhan Çapan, the editor-in-chief and publisher of the daily Özgür Gündem, to one year and three months in prison on terrorism related charges solely due to a headline that appeared on the newspaper. The headline entitled "Revolt Speaks" ("Söz Serhıldanın") which appeared on Özgür Gündem's March 21st issue, amounts to making terrorist propaganda, according to the court. "The government which is trying to muffle our voice through every means is not letting up on its repression and punishment," the newspaper said in its response to the verdict. Özgür Gündem also stressed the fact that the passing of the sentence coincided with the publication of the 2012 press freedom report of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ.)
http://www.bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/141638-journalist-receives-jail-terms-for-newspaper-headline
8. Kurdish state being built in Mideast, says BDP’s Demirtaş
28 October 2012 / Hurriyet News
A Kurdish state is being constructed in the Middle East, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has said in the southeastern province of Batman during a rally to support Kurdish inmates conducting a hunger strike on Oct 27.
“Leave this lawlessness to one side and start acting like a government and a state – there is a people in front of you. Look, a Kurdish state is being constructed in the Middle East,” he said during the rally, titled “We won’t be silent toward deaths.”
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kurdish-state-being-built-in-mideast-says-bdps-demirtas.aspx?pageID=238&nID=33398&NewsCatID=338
9. VIDEO: Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: A Deadly Clash Between Insurgents in Aleppo
28 October 2012 / Enduring America
Claimed video of the Free Syrian Army firing on a Kurdish rally in the Ashrafieh section of Aleppo.
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/10/28/syria-and-beyond-live-coverage-a-deadly-clash-between-insurg.html
10. Syrian rebels and Kurdish militiamen clash in Aleppo
27 October 2012 / Guardian
At least 22 people were killed in clashes between Syrian rebels and Kurdish militia men in Aleppo, Syria's largest city.The fighting broke out despite a truce brokered in honour of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, which was also broken in other areas of Syria with sporadic bombings and clashes. The clashes occurred after rebels pushed into largely Kurdish and Christian areas that have remained relatively quiet during the three-month battle for the city. Kurds say the rebels had pledged to stay out of their districts. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/27/syrian-rebels-kurds-clash-aleppo?newsfeed=true
11. Syrian Opposition Leader to Be Replaced
1 November 2012 / Rudaw
Head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Abdulbasit Sieda is expected to be replaced by a new leader. Sieda, from the Kurdish city of Amude, was elected as the head of the SNC on June 12. Sipan Sayda, a member of the SNC, told Rudaw that Sayda wants to step down from the post. Sayda is a member of the Sawa Coalition, a Kurdish youth group based in Qamishli and Derek, and also Sieda’s nephew. He told Rudaw, “My uncle doesn’t want to be president anymore. For him, four months was enough.” The next leader of the SNC will be decided next week during a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Doha, Qatar, Sipan told Rudaw.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/5372.html
12. Kurds seek UK backing over Iraq 'genocide'
27 October 2012 / BBC News
Iraqi Kurds in Britain have begun a campaign for the mass murder of their people in Iraq in the late-1980s to be formally recognised as genocide. At least 180,000 Kurds were killed by Saddam Hussein's forces. The justice4genocide campaign says many more died in atrocities carried out by regimes from the 1960s onwards. It is petitioning the UK government to declare the mass killing of Kurds as a genocide and press the European Union and United Nations to do the same. The campaign has the support of a number of British MPs and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KRG's representative in Britain, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, said she hoped the campaign would eventually lead to trials at the international criminal court.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20110420 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20110420>
13. Iranian Border Guards arrested 78 Kurds
28 October 2012 / Rojhelat
The head deputy of Iranian Border Guards announced the arrest of dozens of people on the border calling them as the borders’ transgressors. Colonel Ahmad Nikukhah told ISNA news outlet that the Border Guards of Taybad, Xoy, Urmiye and Meriwan arrested 63 people who intended to inter Iran calling them borders’ transgressors. Colonel Nikukhah also announced the arrest of 15 more people on the borders to Meriwan city in East Kurdistan calling them illegal passengers who should be brought to justice.
http://rojhelat.info/en/?p=4171
14. Spontaneous Kurdish demonstration in front of the European Parliament
29 October 2012 / Ararat News
More than 150 Kurdish politicians, intellectuals, lawyers, artists and activists hold a peaceful sit-in action in front of the European Parliament in Brussels as sign of solidarity with the 680 Kurdish hunger strikers in the Turkish prisons. The demonstration lasted peacefully until a group of journalists has been denied access to the demonstration area and has been arrested with violence by few police men and women. The demonstration in Brussels was part of the Kurdish solidarity movement, which has been spreading all over Turkey and Europe in the last days. Six hundred eighty (680) political prisoners in fifty eight (58) Turkish prisons have started an irreversible and indefinite hunger strike since 12 September 2012. Currently, about twenty of the hunger strikers are in critical state and their life is at risk.
http://www.araratnews.net/nuce.php?aid=629 <http://www.araratnews.net/nuce.php?aid=629>
15. St Martin in the Fields Church Sermon to the Kurdish Hunger Strike
27 October 2012 / Hevallo
Reverend Richard Carter: “I think in the heart of every great faith there is a longing for peace and justice” and these words taken from Jesus Christ are a call for justice that the order of the world will be turned upside down and that there will be blessings for those who work for peace, for the pure in in heart, for the meek, that they will inherit the earth, all those who are persecuted that their cry will be heard."
http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/christian-sermon-to-kurdish-hunger.html
COMMENT, OPINION AND ANALYSIS
16. Berivan and Battal!
26 October 2012 / Hevallo
"Being born a Kurd has been a huge weight on mine and my family's shoulders!" begins Berivan, aged 29, as we sit down for our interview in a warm cafe 50 metres from St Martin in the Fields, on the corner of Trafalgar Square in London, where a group of Kurds are participating in a three day hunger strike in solidarity with the historic mass hunger strike unfolding in Turkey. The hunger strike in Turkey is entering it's 45th day, while Berivan has just finished her first day she is already looking tired and cold but utterly determined. Her brother, Battal is finishing his 10th day as part of the mass indefinite hunger strike in a prison cell in Izmir, which is partly why Berivan has joined the solidarity hunger strike in London.
http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/berivan-and-battal.html <http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/berivan-and-battal.html>
17. Guest Post: Kurdish Issue,Turkish Problem
29 October 2012 / Council on Foreign Relations
Over the last six months, the Turkish military and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) have renewed clashes and Kurdish groups have asserted control in northern Syria. These developments reminded observers—if such a reminder was even necessary—that Turkey’s so-called “Kurdish Question” remains unresolved. Yet, exactly how the ongoing conflict is called ties intimately into the search for a solution. Often, people in the Turkish media and in the general populace refer to the “Kürt Sorunu”—the “Kurdish Question” or, more ominously, the “Kurdish Problem.” Though seemingly used innocuously, these names shape how the issue is conceived and where responsibility for its resolution lies.
http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2012/10/29/guest-post-kurdish-issueturkish-problem/
18. Meet the YPG, the Kurdish Militia That Doesn't Want Help from Anyone
31 October 2012 / Vice
On Thursday, FSA rebels advanced into Kurdish and Christian neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria, in a daring attempt to capture the city. Initial reports based on FSA claims and somebody’s friend who spoke to someone in Aleppo on the phone had the rebels taking 90 percent of the city and cooperating with Kurdish militias, but less than a day later these claims were revealed to be false. It seems the Popular Protection Unit (YPG), a Kurdish militia set up to protect the Kurdish areas from opposing forces, repelled the FSA. Shortly afterward, the Syrian army bombed the neighborhood, and a reported 15 Kurdish civilians were killed. The following day, the FSA once again tried to enter the Kurdish neighborhood known as Ashrafiya. This video purports to show them firing at a civilian demonstration protesting the FSA and regime coming into the neighborhood, a Kurdish stronghold.
http://www.vice.com/read/meet-the-ypg
19. PYD Co-Chair Asya Abdullah: A women Revolution
27 October 2012 / ANF
In an interview to ANF, Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chair Asya Abdullah said the revolution in West Kurdistan where a self-government is in place since some areas were liberated, is led by women. Asya Abdullah has taken an active part in the Kurdish movement in West Kurdistan for many years. She was elected as co-chair, together with Saleh Muslim, at the 5th Congress of the party last June. Forty-one years old Asia Abdullah comes from the town of Dêrîka Hemko near the city of Qamişlo. Abdullah is at the same time an activist who was forced to hide herself for a long time until one year ago to survive the pressure by Assad’s regime. Mamoste Osman, Bavê Cûdî and Ehmed Huseyin are only several of the PYD executives murdered under torture in Syrian prisons. No news has been received from one other PYD executive Naziye Ehmed Keçel who was taken into custody in the city of Efrin in 2004. PYD co-chair Asia Abdullah who came to Europe to attend the West Kurdistan conference in Paris in mid October begins our interview by telling about the struggle of PYD members.
http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5275 <http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5275>
28 October 2012 / Mesop
Ten thousands of people cried out “the freedom of Ocalan” in the massive rally that BDP Batman provincal organization organized to support the indefinite-irreversible hunger strikes of the imprisoned members of PKK and PAJK, which were launched on 12 September to force the government to “instantly and without condition” provide the circumstances of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s freedom, health and security, lift the bans and obstacles over mother tongue and meet/respect the democratic rights of Kurdish people.
http://www.mesop.de/2012/10/28/ten-thousands-crying-out-we-wont-remain-in-silence-towards-deaths-in-rally-feleknas-uca-in-batman/
2. Basque Abertzale Left calls for the fulfillment of demands by Kurdish prisoners
30 October 2012 / ANF
The Basque Abertzale Left has released a message in solidarity and full support to the demands of the 776 Kurdish political prisoners in an indefinite hunger strike in 58 Turkish prisons. Underlining three clear demands of dozens of prisoners who have progressively joint the hunger strike, the right to study, communicate and legal defence in their mother tongue, ending of the isolation of Mr Ocalan and creation of conditions for dialogue and negotiations, The Abertzale Left said in its message that “We consider that the Turkish authorities should immediately put an end to all human right violations against Kurdish political prisoners. They should recognize the national rights of the Kurdish people and therefore respect their linguistic rights inside and outside prisons”.
http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5286
3. Turkish Kurds' jail hunger strikes fails to move Erdogan government
25 October 2012 / Guardian
While many have hailed Turkey as a democratic role model since the start of the Arab spring, the country's treatment of its large Kurdish minority begs the question of whether such praise is justified. After months of increasing violence and the ever more hawkish stance of the AKP government, the Kurdish issue seems to have reached an impasse. Around 690 inmates in prisons across the country are taking part in a hunger strike, which was started on 12 September by 65 prisoners convicted of belonging to the outlawed Kurdish parties, the PKK and PJAK.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/25/turkish-kurds-hunger-strike-erdogan
4. VIDEO: The Stream - Turkey's Kurdish question
30 October 2012 / Al-Jazeera
Are Kurdish hunger strikers putting Turkish democracy into question? Or will Erdogan's government give into their demands?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F07TovjmFcI
5. A permanent ceasefire is the only hope for Syria
28 October 2012 / Guardian
The four-day ceasefire that went into effect on Friday should have been the first good news from Syria for several months. The initiative came from Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and Arab League's special envoy, and was accepted by Bashar al-Assad's government as well as several opposition commanders. Two Islamist groups rejected it outright and both sides put conditions on it. The government said it would respond to rebel attacks and the rebels said the government should not resupply its troops. The rebels seemed to be particularly sceptical of any ceasefire since they appear to believe the military momentum is with them, and they have always been wary of political negotiations unless Assad first resigns.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/28/permanent-ceasefire-only-hope-syria <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/28/permanent-ceasefire-only-hope-syria>
6. Turkey accused of pursuing campaign of intimidation against media
24 October 2012 / Guardian
Ankara is pursuing a systematic campaign of intimidation against the Turkish media, including the prosecution and jailing of writers, and demands for those who challenge government policies or actions to be sacked, two independent investigations have concluded. Reports issued in recent days by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the European commission point to a pattern of harassment of individual writers and broadcasters and official pressure on media company owners.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/24/turkey-campaign-intimidation-media
7. Journalist Receives Jail Terms for Newspaper Headline
24 October 2012 / Bianet
The Istanbul 15th High Criminal Court sentenced Reyhan Çapan, the editor-in-chief and publisher of the daily Özgür Gündem, to one year and three months in prison on terrorism related charges solely due to a headline that appeared on the newspaper. The headline entitled "Revolt Speaks" ("Söz Serhıldanın") which appeared on Özgür Gündem's March 21st issue, amounts to making terrorist propaganda, according to the court. "The government which is trying to muffle our voice through every means is not letting up on its repression and punishment," the newspaper said in its response to the verdict. Özgür Gündem also stressed the fact that the passing of the sentence coincided with the publication of the 2012 press freedom report of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ.)
http://www.bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/141638-journalist-receives-jail-terms-for-newspaper-headline
8. Kurdish state being built in Mideast, says BDP’s Demirtaş
28 October 2012 / Hurriyet News
A Kurdish state is being constructed in the Middle East, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has said in the southeastern province of Batman during a rally to support Kurdish inmates conducting a hunger strike on Oct 27.
“Leave this lawlessness to one side and start acting like a government and a state – there is a people in front of you. Look, a Kurdish state is being constructed in the Middle East,” he said during the rally, titled “We won’t be silent toward deaths.”
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kurdish-state-being-built-in-mideast-says-bdps-demirtas.aspx?pageID=238&nID=33398&NewsCatID=338
9. VIDEO: Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: A Deadly Clash Between Insurgents in Aleppo
28 October 2012 / Enduring America
Claimed video of the Free Syrian Army firing on a Kurdish rally in the Ashrafieh section of Aleppo.
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/10/28/syria-and-beyond-live-coverage-a-deadly-clash-between-insurg.html
10. Syrian rebels and Kurdish militiamen clash in Aleppo
27 October 2012 / Guardian
At least 22 people were killed in clashes between Syrian rebels and Kurdish militia men in Aleppo, Syria's largest city.The fighting broke out despite a truce brokered in honour of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, which was also broken in other areas of Syria with sporadic bombings and clashes. The clashes occurred after rebels pushed into largely Kurdish and Christian areas that have remained relatively quiet during the three-month battle for the city. Kurds say the rebels had pledged to stay out of their districts. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/27/syrian-rebels-kurds-clash-aleppo?newsfeed=true
11. Syrian Opposition Leader to Be Replaced
1 November 2012 / Rudaw
Head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Abdulbasit Sieda is expected to be replaced by a new leader. Sieda, from the Kurdish city of Amude, was elected as the head of the SNC on June 12. Sipan Sayda, a member of the SNC, told Rudaw that Sayda wants to step down from the post. Sayda is a member of the Sawa Coalition, a Kurdish youth group based in Qamishli and Derek, and also Sieda’s nephew. He told Rudaw, “My uncle doesn’t want to be president anymore. For him, four months was enough.” The next leader of the SNC will be decided next week during a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Doha, Qatar, Sipan told Rudaw.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/syria/5372.html
12. Kurds seek UK backing over Iraq 'genocide'
27 October 2012 / BBC News
Iraqi Kurds in Britain have begun a campaign for the mass murder of their people in Iraq in the late-1980s to be formally recognised as genocide. At least 180,000 Kurds were killed by Saddam Hussein's forces. The justice4genocide campaign says many more died in atrocities carried out by regimes from the 1960s onwards. It is petitioning the UK government to declare the mass killing of Kurds as a genocide and press the European Union and United Nations to do the same. The campaign has the support of a number of British MPs and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KRG's representative in Britain, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, said she hoped the campaign would eventually lead to trials at the international criminal court.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20110420 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20110420>
13. Iranian Border Guards arrested 78 Kurds
28 October 2012 / Rojhelat
The head deputy of Iranian Border Guards announced the arrest of dozens of people on the border calling them as the borders’ transgressors. Colonel Ahmad Nikukhah told ISNA news outlet that the Border Guards of Taybad, Xoy, Urmiye and Meriwan arrested 63 people who intended to inter Iran calling them borders’ transgressors. Colonel Nikukhah also announced the arrest of 15 more people on the borders to Meriwan city in East Kurdistan calling them illegal passengers who should be brought to justice.
http://rojhelat.info/en/?p=4171
14. Spontaneous Kurdish demonstration in front of the European Parliament
29 October 2012 / Ararat News
More than 150 Kurdish politicians, intellectuals, lawyers, artists and activists hold a peaceful sit-in action in front of the European Parliament in Brussels as sign of solidarity with the 680 Kurdish hunger strikers in the Turkish prisons. The demonstration lasted peacefully until a group of journalists has been denied access to the demonstration area and has been arrested with violence by few police men and women. The demonstration in Brussels was part of the Kurdish solidarity movement, which has been spreading all over Turkey and Europe in the last days. Six hundred eighty (680) political prisoners in fifty eight (58) Turkish prisons have started an irreversible and indefinite hunger strike since 12 September 2012. Currently, about twenty of the hunger strikers are in critical state and their life is at risk.
http://www.araratnews.net/nuce.php?aid=629 <http://www.araratnews.net/nuce.php?aid=629>
15. St Martin in the Fields Church Sermon to the Kurdish Hunger Strike
27 October 2012 / Hevallo
Reverend Richard Carter: “I think in the heart of every great faith there is a longing for peace and justice” and these words taken from Jesus Christ are a call for justice that the order of the world will be turned upside down and that there will be blessings for those who work for peace, for the pure in in heart, for the meek, that they will inherit the earth, all those who are persecuted that their cry will be heard."
http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/christian-sermon-to-kurdish-hunger.html
COMMENT, OPINION AND ANALYSIS
16. Berivan and Battal!
26 October 2012 / Hevallo
"Being born a Kurd has been a huge weight on mine and my family's shoulders!" begins Berivan, aged 29, as we sit down for our interview in a warm cafe 50 metres from St Martin in the Fields, on the corner of Trafalgar Square in London, where a group of Kurds are participating in a three day hunger strike in solidarity with the historic mass hunger strike unfolding in Turkey. The hunger strike in Turkey is entering it's 45th day, while Berivan has just finished her first day she is already looking tired and cold but utterly determined. Her brother, Battal is finishing his 10th day as part of the mass indefinite hunger strike in a prison cell in Izmir, which is partly why Berivan has joined the solidarity hunger strike in London.
http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/berivan-and-battal.html <http://hevallo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/berivan-and-battal.html>
17. Guest Post: Kurdish Issue,Turkish Problem
29 October 2012 / Council on Foreign Relations
Over the last six months, the Turkish military and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) have renewed clashes and Kurdish groups have asserted control in northern Syria. These developments reminded observers—if such a reminder was even necessary—that Turkey’s so-called “Kurdish Question” remains unresolved. Yet, exactly how the ongoing conflict is called ties intimately into the search for a solution. Often, people in the Turkish media and in the general populace refer to the “Kürt Sorunu”—the “Kurdish Question” or, more ominously, the “Kurdish Problem.” Though seemingly used innocuously, these names shape how the issue is conceived and where responsibility for its resolution lies.
http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2012/10/29/guest-post-kurdish-issueturkish-problem/
18. Meet the YPG, the Kurdish Militia That Doesn't Want Help from Anyone
31 October 2012 / Vice
On Thursday, FSA rebels advanced into Kurdish and Christian neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria, in a daring attempt to capture the city. Initial reports based on FSA claims and somebody’s friend who spoke to someone in Aleppo on the phone had the rebels taking 90 percent of the city and cooperating with Kurdish militias, but less than a day later these claims were revealed to be false. It seems the Popular Protection Unit (YPG), a Kurdish militia set up to protect the Kurdish areas from opposing forces, repelled the FSA. Shortly afterward, the Syrian army bombed the neighborhood, and a reported 15 Kurdish civilians were killed. The following day, the FSA once again tried to enter the Kurdish neighborhood known as Ashrafiya. This video purports to show them firing at a civilian demonstration protesting the FSA and regime coming into the neighborhood, a Kurdish stronghold.
http://www.vice.com/read/meet-the-ypg
19. PYD Co-Chair Asya Abdullah: A women Revolution
27 October 2012 / ANF
In an interview to ANF, Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chair Asya Abdullah said the revolution in West Kurdistan where a self-government is in place since some areas were liberated, is led by women. Asya Abdullah has taken an active part in the Kurdish movement in West Kurdistan for many years. She was elected as co-chair, together with Saleh Muslim, at the 5th Congress of the party last June. Forty-one years old Asia Abdullah comes from the town of Dêrîka Hemko near the city of Qamişlo. Abdullah is at the same time an activist who was forced to hide herself for a long time until one year ago to survive the pressure by Assad’s regime. Mamoste Osman, Bavê Cûdî and Ehmed Huseyin are only several of the PYD executives murdered under torture in Syrian prisons. No news has been received from one other PYD executive Naziye Ehmed Keçel who was taken into custody in the city of Efrin in 2004. PYD co-chair Asia Abdullah who came to Europe to attend the West Kurdistan conference in Paris in mid October begins our interview by telling about the struggle of PYD members.
http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5275 <http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=5275>
KNC PRESS RELEASE - Sign the petition to support Kurdish Hunger Strikers!
For Immediate Release
Contact: Luqman Barwari
(805) 402-6440
kncna@kncna.net
Los Angeles, CA- Almost 800 Kurdish political prisoners in 58 prisons in Turkey are
reaching the 50th day of an indefinite and irreversible hunger strike. Serious health
consequences stemming from the strikes could be imminent as the US-backed Turkish
government refuses to meet the political prisoners' legitimate demands.
The hunger strikers are calling for provisions to use their mother language in education
and the public sphere; the removal of obstacles preventing imprisoned Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan from negotiating in peace talks with the Turkish state; and respect for
the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people.
The Kurdish struggle for equal rights has made historic gains in recent years, and Turkey
has responded by imprisoning thousands of Kurdish democracy advocates, including
elected politicians, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the
Kurdish political movement has continued to call for a negotiated rights-based solution to
the conflict within Turkey's borders. Despite this, the US-backed Turkish government has
taken an increasingly hard-line posture towards the Kurds, unilaterally terminating
negotiations with the Kurdish political leadership, intensifying military and political
operations against the Kurdish movement, and preventing Abdullah Ocalan from seeing
his lawyers since July 2011.
The root causes of the hunger striker are therefore Turkey's refusal to accept a negotiated
solution to the Kurdish issue and the AKP government's attempt to crush all democratic
resistance to its unjust policies. Any adverse outcomes resulting from the protest will be
due to the government's intransigence.
Those on hunger strike include imprisoned members of parliament from the pro-Kurdish
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), notably Şırnak deputies Selma Irmak and Faisal
Sarıyıldız, as well as Mardin deputy Gulseren Yildirim. Bekir Kaya, the mayor of Wan,
has also joined the protest.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other human rights organizations have
denounced Turkey’s record of violating the human rights and of its Kurdish population.
AI recently voiced concerns over allegations that the Turkish government isn't respecting
the hunger strikers' rights and called on Ankara to show due respect for these rights.
The Kurdish people have clearly shown their support for the hunger strikers and their
demands with a series of demonstrations and actions across Turkey. Family members of
strikers and concerned people have been taking turn to wait in front of the prisons to
force the government to act upon this mass resistance.
As Kurds based in North America, we're calling on people of conscience everywhere to
contact public authorities to pressure the Turkish government to honor its obligations
under international human rights law. We ask you to reach your political representatives,
Turkish consulates and embassies near you, as well as human rights organizations.
An outpouring of public concern at this time could achieve important gains for the
Kurdish struggle for equal rights and save the lives of hunger strikers.
Please act now. Tomorrow may be too late.
Kurdish American Advocacy Group
The Group consists of representatives of various Kurdish organizations across the United
States and their supporters. You too can add your name by accessing the petition on line,
please usww this link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/luqman-barwari-support-the-kurdish-hunger-strikers
1. Kurdish National Congress North America (KNC-NA)
2. New England Kurdish Association (NEKA)-members
3. Kurdish American Youth Organization (KAYO)-members
4. California Kurdish Community Center (CKCC)-members
5. American Kurdish Association (AKA)-members
6. Kurdish American Society (KAS)-members
7. Kurdish Community of America members-North Dakota, Minnesota
8. Kurdish American Human Rights Campaign (KAHRC)-member
Contact: Luqman Barwari
(805) 402-6440
kncna@kncna.net
Los Angeles, CA- Almost 800 Kurdish political prisoners in 58 prisons in Turkey are
reaching the 50th day of an indefinite and irreversible hunger strike. Serious health
consequences stemming from the strikes could be imminent as the US-backed Turkish
government refuses to meet the political prisoners' legitimate demands.
The hunger strikers are calling for provisions to use their mother language in education
and the public sphere; the removal of obstacles preventing imprisoned Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan from negotiating in peace talks with the Turkish state; and respect for
the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people.
The Kurdish struggle for equal rights has made historic gains in recent years, and Turkey
has responded by imprisoning thousands of Kurdish democracy advocates, including
elected politicians, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the
Kurdish political movement has continued to call for a negotiated rights-based solution to
the conflict within Turkey's borders. Despite this, the US-backed Turkish government has
taken an increasingly hard-line posture towards the Kurds, unilaterally terminating
negotiations with the Kurdish political leadership, intensifying military and political
operations against the Kurdish movement, and preventing Abdullah Ocalan from seeing
his lawyers since July 2011.
The root causes of the hunger striker are therefore Turkey's refusal to accept a negotiated
solution to the Kurdish issue and the AKP government's attempt to crush all democratic
resistance to its unjust policies. Any adverse outcomes resulting from the protest will be
due to the government's intransigence.
Those on hunger strike include imprisoned members of parliament from the pro-Kurdish
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), notably Şırnak deputies Selma Irmak and Faisal
Sarıyıldız, as well as Mardin deputy Gulseren Yildirim. Bekir Kaya, the mayor of Wan,
has also joined the protest.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other human rights organizations have
denounced Turkey’s record of violating the human rights and of its Kurdish population.
AI recently voiced concerns over allegations that the Turkish government isn't respecting
the hunger strikers' rights and called on Ankara to show due respect for these rights.
The Kurdish people have clearly shown their support for the hunger strikers and their
demands with a series of demonstrations and actions across Turkey. Family members of
strikers and concerned people have been taking turn to wait in front of the prisons to
force the government to act upon this mass resistance.
As Kurds based in North America, we're calling on people of conscience everywhere to
contact public authorities to pressure the Turkish government to honor its obligations
under international human rights law. We ask you to reach your political representatives,
Turkish consulates and embassies near you, as well as human rights organizations.
An outpouring of public concern at this time could achieve important gains for the
Kurdish struggle for equal rights and save the lives of hunger strikers.
Please act now. Tomorrow may be too late.
Kurdish American Advocacy Group
The Group consists of representatives of various Kurdish organizations across the United
States and their supporters. You too can add your name by accessing the petition on line,
please usww this link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/luqman-barwari-support-the-kurdish-hunger-strikers
1. Kurdish National Congress North America (KNC-NA)
2. New England Kurdish Association (NEKA)-members
3. Kurdish American Youth Organization (KAYO)-members
4. California Kurdish Community Center (CKCC)-members
5. American Kurdish Association (AKA)-members
6. Kurdish American Society (KAS)-members
7. Kurdish Community of America members-North Dakota, Minnesota
8. Kurdish American Human Rights Campaign (KAHRC)-member
AN OPEN LETTER TO PM DAVID CAMERON
AN OPEN LETTER TO PM DAVID CAMERON,
Kurdish Federation UK, has delivered an open letter today to 10 Downing Street, urging PM David Cameron to take action to stop ongoing hunger strike on its 50th day in Turkey's prisons.
31th Oct 2012
Dear Prime Minister,
Over thousands of Kurdish political internees, incarcerated for campaigning for Kurdish rights in Turkey are taking part in possibly the biggest political hunger strike in history to apply pressure to the Turkish government to begin political negotiations to resolve the Kurdish Question in Turkey.
600 strikers are on their 50th day today many with serious health conditions. They are determined in their steadfastness to die unless their demands are met.
For nearly 80 years the Kurds in Turkey have suffered the most intolerable oppression.
Forcibly assimilated to be Turks they had their language banned and culture eradicated. The hunger strike represents, the long and painful struggle for justice and identity by the Kurds reaching its zenith.
In 2009 the Turkish state engaged in talks with the PKK to attempt to resolve the Kurdish issue. Unfortunately, these talks were abruptly brought to an end by the Turkish government and stalled.
The two central demands of the hunger strikers are as follows: The release of Abdullah Ocalan to negotiate a political settlement to the Kurdish Question in Turkey and Kurdish language rights in the public sphere.
We urgently request that the UK government do everything in their power to apply political pressure on the Turkish government to solve the Kurdish Question, release these political prisoners so Turkey can finally begin to solve it’s longest standing political problem.
We have reason to believe that the UK were involved in the Oslo talks and believe that the government has a lot of similar experience and advise to impart to the Turkish government about how to tackle such a historical political issue.
We also respectfully believe that the UK has a moral responsibility to the Kurds being one of the signatories to the Lausanne Agreement that divided Kurdistan in the first place.
Yours faithfully,
FEDBIR
Kurdish Federation UK, has delivered an open letter today to 10 Downing Street, urging PM David Cameron to take action to stop ongoing hunger strike on its 50th day in Turkey's prisons.
31th Oct 2012
Dear Prime Minister,
Over thousands of Kurdish political internees, incarcerated for campaigning for Kurdish rights in Turkey are taking part in possibly the biggest political hunger strike in history to apply pressure to the Turkish government to begin political negotiations to resolve the Kurdish Question in Turkey.
600 strikers are on their 50th day today many with serious health conditions. They are determined in their steadfastness to die unless their demands are met.
For nearly 80 years the Kurds in Turkey have suffered the most intolerable oppression.
Forcibly assimilated to be Turks they had their language banned and culture eradicated. The hunger strike represents, the long and painful struggle for justice and identity by the Kurds reaching its zenith.
In 2009 the Turkish state engaged in talks with the PKK to attempt to resolve the Kurdish issue. Unfortunately, these talks were abruptly brought to an end by the Turkish government and stalled.
The two central demands of the hunger strikers are as follows: The release of Abdullah Ocalan to negotiate a political settlement to the Kurdish Question in Turkey and Kurdish language rights in the public sphere.
We urgently request that the UK government do everything in their power to apply political pressure on the Turkish government to solve the Kurdish Question, release these political prisoners so Turkey can finally begin to solve it’s longest standing political problem.
We have reason to believe that the UK were involved in the Oslo talks and believe that the government has a lot of similar experience and advise to impart to the Turkish government about how to tackle such a historical political issue.
We also respectfully believe that the UK has a moral responsibility to the Kurds being one of the signatories to the Lausanne Agreement that divided Kurdistan in the first place.
Yours faithfully,
FEDBIR
Democratic Union Party English news 26.10.2012
On The Ground Activities in Western Kurdistan:
The Syrian crisis repercussions.
12 people are killed and many injured among them Ronahi-tv correspondent and Firat news agency’s correspondent.
Aleppo- many shells landed in al-Ashrefiye district of Aleppo yesterday night led to the death of 9 people and injured another number among them 2 journalists.
The Syrian regimes’ artillery shelling on al-Ashrefiye district Thursday at 02:30 afternoon left 12 people dead among them 7 kurds and they are ‘ Shukri Mohammed Gorin from Dar Kiri of Efrin, Rodin Sheiko from Matine, Mustafa Sheikh Mustafa from Hajiki, Shiyar Habib Jemo, Subihi Sayedo Kuro, Khalil Mustafa Muhammed, Hassan Reshied Kolin from Arandeh, Rashied Ibrahim from Qerqelaq, Ahmed Kamal Akkash and he is Turkmenian, Ibrahim Cezibe Keyali, Rehef Zattari and Welid, whose surename could not be identified’
More than 15 people were injured including Ronahi-tv correspondent ‘Kendal Welat’ and Firat News Agency’s correspondent ‘Judi Ronahi’ the injured who we could get their names are ‘Mohammed Shaabo from Efrin, Subihi Kero, Ali Gunci, Azad Bekir Hac Khalil, Mohammed Khalo, Ahmed Fadil, Azad Sheik Issa, Hessen Kulin bin Reshid, Rodin Sheikri Sorko from Qitme, and Mustafa’
Yesterday morning, a group of the Free Syrian Army soldiers tried to take control of al-Ashirfiye and was confronted by People Protection Units after that the Free Syrian Army withdrawn without any clashes; hours before withdrawing many shells hit the district.
People Protection Units
We will spare no effort to find out the fate of Dorsin.
Derik- ‘we will whatever it takes and we will spare no effort to find out the fate of member of the politburo of al-Parti and the head of the local council of the Kurdish National council Bahzad Dorsin’ the one in charge of People Protection Units in Derik Said.
‘People Protection Units have mobilized their forces and patrolling heavily in the area in search for Dorsin in response to the Kurdish Democratic Party of Syria, al-Party (KDP).
‘There are those gangs of mercenaries who want to make chaos and destabilize the area and the aim of such deeds is to accuse the People Protection Units of it’ Mahmoud in charge of people protection units in Derik in a statement to Firat News Agency.
‘There some persons and websites spreading false news in order to undermine our people and spread discord, pointing out that our people should not pay attention to such false rumors, which their only aim is to widen the gap between the Kurdish political circles’ he added.
He called upon patriot kurds to cooperate and provide People Protection Units with any useful information to find out the fate of Dorsen.
Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM calls for a huge demonstration in al-Derbasiye.
The Democratic Society Movement and the local public council in al-Derbasiye called on patriotic Kurds to demonstrate Saturday at 13:00 in protest to the massacres committed in al-Ashrefiye district of Aleppo.
TEV-DEM Democratic Society Movement: is this your truce!
The executive board of the Democratic Society Movement of Western Kurdistan TEV-DEM issued a statement on recent events in the district of al-Ashrefiye stating that an armed group tried to enter al-Ashrefiye district and wanted to station itself but the people of the neighborhood mostly Kurds expelled the group so that the district will not be a target for war machine and destruction for both parts of the Syrian conflict. While the Syrian army fired many artillery shells killing 15 people and injuring 20 others committing another massacre against the Kurdish people.
‘the armed group calling itself ‘the Free Syrian Army’ fired bullets on unarmed people in order to force them to leave their houses and spread terror among the civilian citizens’ the statement added.
In response to the wish of people of aal-Ashrefiye and Sheikh Mawsuad, a delegation by the public council of Sheikh Al-Maqsuad took the initiative and discussed the situation with the armed groups which tried to enter the district in order to convince them to leave the neighborhood and to tell them that the people, both Kurds and Arabs, do not want to become victims for the current clashes between the armed groups and the Syrian Army’
‘The Kurdish people was surprised by the armed groups claiming taking control of, taking positions and liberation of al-Ashrefiya neighborhood in response the Kurdish people demonstrated peacefully to get those armed groups out of their neighborhood’ the statement pointed out.
The statement added that hundreds of people, Arabs and Kurds, were gathered to demonstrate heading towards al-Ashrefiye neighborhood to force those armed groups to leave the civilian residential areas but ‘the armed groups started to shoot at the unarmed demonstrators resulting in the killing and injuring a number of the Kurds’
‘We still call for putting an end for violence, killing, and massacres and finding peaceful and democratic solutions for the Syrian crisis’ the Democratic Society Movement confirmed. After the Syrian army and the armed groups announced the truce on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, we can see that both parties are paying no importance for those holy and blessed days trying directly and indirectly in different ways to undermine the Kurdish people’s well and in attempt to drag them into the war which is of no gain for anyone and to make them a victim for cheap bargains and leaving them exposed to massacres.
The Democratic Society Movement called upon the Kurdish people to ‘be cautious about and aware of vicious plans and tricks to drag them into a war of no gain and has destructive consequences and to gather around their organizations and establishments’. As we also call upon the Kurdish people everywhere in western Kurdistan ‘not to stand and watch those massacres and to support their brothers and sisters in Aleppo under the slogan ‘ is this your truce’ and to deliver a message to those parts in conflict that the kurish people is not alone and has a strong will which cannot be broken’
5 killed and ten injured in al-Ashrefiye neighborhood.
An attack by the opposition insurgents ‘the free Syrian army’ on a peaceful public demonstration of residents of al-Ashrefiye and Sheikh Maqsued demanding the withdrawal of the insurgents left 5 demonstrators dead and at least 10 others were injured by real ammunition while the People Protection Units responded to the fire sources.
PYD Condemns and denounces the crime perpetrated by the Syrian regime in al-Ashrefiye in Aleppo
Qamishlo, the executive committee of the Democratic Union Party issued a statement to the general opinion condemning the massacre perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces in al-Ashrefiye in Aleppo resulting in 15 lives 9 of them were Kurds.
‘The country is witnessing a disastrous crisis for 19 months, very hard to find a way out, having disastrous consequences on the Syrian people losing their homes, livelihood resources and their dear children, relatives and friends, where revenge and retribution are its fuel to widen the gap between warring parties’ the statement stated
‘On the eve of the first day of Eid al-Adha the Kurdish people got sorrowful news saying that 15 citizens had lost their lives of which 9 were Kurds, and at least 15 others were wounded including Ronahi-tv correspondent and Firat News Agency’s correspondent’ the statement added.
‘the shelling of al-Ashrefiye neighborhood mostly Kurds comes in a time where the Syrian regime announced a cease-fire of the killing machine targeting civilians, shelling safe villages and cities by artillery armors in a war imposed upon the Syrian people costing them beloved ones and cutting off their livelihood’ the executive committee of the Democratic Union Party said.
The statement strongly condemned the shelling of the Kurdish neighborhood of al-Ashrefiye by the Syrian regime and stressing that depending on foreign powers ‘both by the Syrian regime and abroad-based opposition led to such a situation where nobody knows its consequences because it is not restricted to both warring parts anymore’.
‘That is why we are leading a political line relying on our people’s internal power and establishing for future where the word is for people and not for an authority monopolized and restricted to few people, for that reason, the democratic self-administration project is our choice to establish social self-relied system and which is the only option which has proven to be righteous and realistic for the revolution success and to reach freedom’ the statement added.
‘ we in the Democratic Union Party in harshest words the crime perpetrated against our people in al-Ashrefiye neighborhood, and we reiterate that our people is relying on a legacy of struggle and righteous philosophy and thought and will be able to protect itself and would be able to defend its values in any situation as we offer our condolences for the victim families and whishing the injured a speedy recovery’
The Public Coucil of Genders distributes coking-gas
Efrin- after 17 days of gathering gas bottles by the Public Local Council of Genders from 25 villages to be filled up in Remilan gas establishment of Derik Hamko, the gas bottles have been returned after being filled up to the district of Genders. The bottles were distributed by the Fuel Committee on local people.
The head of the Committee said ‘we got 1200 gas bottles from people and 110 battles were taken by the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Army’s checkpoints on our way home’ adding that 1190 bottles have been distributed to 25 villages and center of the district.
The lorry driver Arif Aziz saying about the security situation ‘if we did not have protection forces, we would not have been able to return home’
People of the region expressed their happiness and thanks for the Fuel Committee, which delivered cocking gas to people from Remilan fields of Derik Hemko as they also thanked the People Protection Units for accompanying the gas bottles lorry.
Statement
To the public opinion
Human sacrifices are al-Eid sacrifices in Syria
Although the sanctity of this holy month and pilgrims standing on Arafah and making sacrifices for God to forgive them and that peace and prosperity would prevail their homelands, but the Eid evening’s rituals is colored by blood of human sacrifices and by taking lives of innocent peoples despite the initial announcement of a cease-fire sought by the UN envoy Brahimi to stop the killings during al-Eid days.
What is happening in our country Syria is the result of a brutal, totalitarian, suppressive and corrupted Baathist regime and resorting to weapons in tackling national issues, and its insistence to go on in killings and shelling residential areas which are fully condemned by us. As we also condemned those circles insisting on violence and which try to drag the Kurdish people into the disastrous war, we have expressed our peaceful position of the revolution and we do believe that victory would be through peaceful means of struggle, but bringing the war into Western Kurdistan or the Kurdish residential areas and targeting or people are unacceptable and condemned act and no one could stop us in our peaceful and legitimate struggle away from regional and international powers.
What is happening in Syria and what has happened recently in al-Ashrefiye of destruction and killing is condemned by our people and its council- People’s Council of Western Kurdistan- and those warring parts would not but gather us around our national values and would increase our insistence to demand our people’s rights and to establish a plural democratic Syria for all of its people.
We call upon our Kurdish people to gather around its political and field leadership and to resort means which would grant the security of its areas and would take the responsibilities in the legitimate right of self-defense. As we call upon the warring parts to commit to the Eid cease-fire and to stop the violence.
We ask mercy for victims and the injured would soon get recovered.
Shame be on criminal killers
The presidency of the People’s Council in Western Kurdistan.
25.10.2012
The Syrian crisis repercussions.
12 people are killed and many injured among them Ronahi-tv correspondent and Firat news agency’s correspondent.
Aleppo- many shells landed in al-Ashrefiye district of Aleppo yesterday night led to the death of 9 people and injured another number among them 2 journalists.
The Syrian regimes’ artillery shelling on al-Ashrefiye district Thursday at 02:30 afternoon left 12 people dead among them 7 kurds and they are ‘ Shukri Mohammed Gorin from Dar Kiri of Efrin, Rodin Sheiko from Matine, Mustafa Sheikh Mustafa from Hajiki, Shiyar Habib Jemo, Subihi Sayedo Kuro, Khalil Mustafa Muhammed, Hassan Reshied Kolin from Arandeh, Rashied Ibrahim from Qerqelaq, Ahmed Kamal Akkash and he is Turkmenian, Ibrahim Cezibe Keyali, Rehef Zattari and Welid, whose surename could not be identified’
More than 15 people were injured including Ronahi-tv correspondent ‘Kendal Welat’ and Firat News Agency’s correspondent ‘Judi Ronahi’ the injured who we could get their names are ‘Mohammed Shaabo from Efrin, Subihi Kero, Ali Gunci, Azad Bekir Hac Khalil, Mohammed Khalo, Ahmed Fadil, Azad Sheik Issa, Hessen Kulin bin Reshid, Rodin Sheikri Sorko from Qitme, and Mustafa’
Yesterday morning, a group of the Free Syrian Army soldiers tried to take control of al-Ashirfiye and was confronted by People Protection Units after that the Free Syrian Army withdrawn without any clashes; hours before withdrawing many shells hit the district.
People Protection Units
We will spare no effort to find out the fate of Dorsin.
Derik- ‘we will whatever it takes and we will spare no effort to find out the fate of member of the politburo of al-Parti and the head of the local council of the Kurdish National council Bahzad Dorsin’ the one in charge of People Protection Units in Derik Said.
‘People Protection Units have mobilized their forces and patrolling heavily in the area in search for Dorsin in response to the Kurdish Democratic Party of Syria, al-Party (KDP).
‘There are those gangs of mercenaries who want to make chaos and destabilize the area and the aim of such deeds is to accuse the People Protection Units of it’ Mahmoud in charge of people protection units in Derik in a statement to Firat News Agency.
‘There some persons and websites spreading false news in order to undermine our people and spread discord, pointing out that our people should not pay attention to such false rumors, which their only aim is to widen the gap between the Kurdish political circles’ he added.
He called upon patriot kurds to cooperate and provide People Protection Units with any useful information to find out the fate of Dorsen.
Democratic Society Movement TEV-DEM calls for a huge demonstration in al-Derbasiye.
The Democratic Society Movement and the local public council in al-Derbasiye called on patriotic Kurds to demonstrate Saturday at 13:00 in protest to the massacres committed in al-Ashrefiye district of Aleppo.
TEV-DEM Democratic Society Movement: is this your truce!
The executive board of the Democratic Society Movement of Western Kurdistan TEV-DEM issued a statement on recent events in the district of al-Ashrefiye stating that an armed group tried to enter al-Ashrefiye district and wanted to station itself but the people of the neighborhood mostly Kurds expelled the group so that the district will not be a target for war machine and destruction for both parts of the Syrian conflict. While the Syrian army fired many artillery shells killing 15 people and injuring 20 others committing another massacre against the Kurdish people.
‘the armed group calling itself ‘the Free Syrian Army’ fired bullets on unarmed people in order to force them to leave their houses and spread terror among the civilian citizens’ the statement added.
In response to the wish of people of aal-Ashrefiye and Sheikh Mawsuad, a delegation by the public council of Sheikh Al-Maqsuad took the initiative and discussed the situation with the armed groups which tried to enter the district in order to convince them to leave the neighborhood and to tell them that the people, both Kurds and Arabs, do not want to become victims for the current clashes between the armed groups and the Syrian Army’
‘The Kurdish people was surprised by the armed groups claiming taking control of, taking positions and liberation of al-Ashrefiya neighborhood in response the Kurdish people demonstrated peacefully to get those armed groups out of their neighborhood’ the statement pointed out.
The statement added that hundreds of people, Arabs and Kurds, were gathered to demonstrate heading towards al-Ashrefiye neighborhood to force those armed groups to leave the civilian residential areas but ‘the armed groups started to shoot at the unarmed demonstrators resulting in the killing and injuring a number of the Kurds’
‘We still call for putting an end for violence, killing, and massacres and finding peaceful and democratic solutions for the Syrian crisis’ the Democratic Society Movement confirmed. After the Syrian army and the armed groups announced the truce on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, we can see that both parties are paying no importance for those holy and blessed days trying directly and indirectly in different ways to undermine the Kurdish people’s well and in attempt to drag them into the war which is of no gain for anyone and to make them a victim for cheap bargains and leaving them exposed to massacres.
The Democratic Society Movement called upon the Kurdish people to ‘be cautious about and aware of vicious plans and tricks to drag them into a war of no gain and has destructive consequences and to gather around their organizations and establishments’. As we also call upon the Kurdish people everywhere in western Kurdistan ‘not to stand and watch those massacres and to support their brothers and sisters in Aleppo under the slogan ‘ is this your truce’ and to deliver a message to those parts in conflict that the kurish people is not alone and has a strong will which cannot be broken’
5 killed and ten injured in al-Ashrefiye neighborhood.
An attack by the opposition insurgents ‘the free Syrian army’ on a peaceful public demonstration of residents of al-Ashrefiye and Sheikh Maqsued demanding the withdrawal of the insurgents left 5 demonstrators dead and at least 10 others were injured by real ammunition while the People Protection Units responded to the fire sources.
PYD Condemns and denounces the crime perpetrated by the Syrian regime in al-Ashrefiye in Aleppo
Qamishlo, the executive committee of the Democratic Union Party issued a statement to the general opinion condemning the massacre perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces in al-Ashrefiye in Aleppo resulting in 15 lives 9 of them were Kurds.
‘The country is witnessing a disastrous crisis for 19 months, very hard to find a way out, having disastrous consequences on the Syrian people losing their homes, livelihood resources and their dear children, relatives and friends, where revenge and retribution are its fuel to widen the gap between warring parties’ the statement stated
‘On the eve of the first day of Eid al-Adha the Kurdish people got sorrowful news saying that 15 citizens had lost their lives of which 9 were Kurds, and at least 15 others were wounded including Ronahi-tv correspondent and Firat News Agency’s correspondent’ the statement added.
‘the shelling of al-Ashrefiye neighborhood mostly Kurds comes in a time where the Syrian regime announced a cease-fire of the killing machine targeting civilians, shelling safe villages and cities by artillery armors in a war imposed upon the Syrian people costing them beloved ones and cutting off their livelihood’ the executive committee of the Democratic Union Party said.
The statement strongly condemned the shelling of the Kurdish neighborhood of al-Ashrefiye by the Syrian regime and stressing that depending on foreign powers ‘both by the Syrian regime and abroad-based opposition led to such a situation where nobody knows its consequences because it is not restricted to both warring parts anymore’.
‘That is why we are leading a political line relying on our people’s internal power and establishing for future where the word is for people and not for an authority monopolized and restricted to few people, for that reason, the democratic self-administration project is our choice to establish social self-relied system and which is the only option which has proven to be righteous and realistic for the revolution success and to reach freedom’ the statement added.
‘ we in the Democratic Union Party in harshest words the crime perpetrated against our people in al-Ashrefiye neighborhood, and we reiterate that our people is relying on a legacy of struggle and righteous philosophy and thought and will be able to protect itself and would be able to defend its values in any situation as we offer our condolences for the victim families and whishing the injured a speedy recovery’
The Public Coucil of Genders distributes coking-gas
Efrin- after 17 days of gathering gas bottles by the Public Local Council of Genders from 25 villages to be filled up in Remilan gas establishment of Derik Hamko, the gas bottles have been returned after being filled up to the district of Genders. The bottles were distributed by the Fuel Committee on local people.
The head of the Committee said ‘we got 1200 gas bottles from people and 110 battles were taken by the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Army’s checkpoints on our way home’ adding that 1190 bottles have been distributed to 25 villages and center of the district.
The lorry driver Arif Aziz saying about the security situation ‘if we did not have protection forces, we would not have been able to return home’
People of the region expressed their happiness and thanks for the Fuel Committee, which delivered cocking gas to people from Remilan fields of Derik Hemko as they also thanked the People Protection Units for accompanying the gas bottles lorry.
Statement
To the public opinion
Human sacrifices are al-Eid sacrifices in Syria
Although the sanctity of this holy month and pilgrims standing on Arafah and making sacrifices for God to forgive them and that peace and prosperity would prevail their homelands, but the Eid evening’s rituals is colored by blood of human sacrifices and by taking lives of innocent peoples despite the initial announcement of a cease-fire sought by the UN envoy Brahimi to stop the killings during al-Eid days.
What is happening in our country Syria is the result of a brutal, totalitarian, suppressive and corrupted Baathist regime and resorting to weapons in tackling national issues, and its insistence to go on in killings and shelling residential areas which are fully condemned by us. As we also condemned those circles insisting on violence and which try to drag the Kurdish people into the disastrous war, we have expressed our peaceful position of the revolution and we do believe that victory would be through peaceful means of struggle, but bringing the war into Western Kurdistan or the Kurdish residential areas and targeting or people are unacceptable and condemned act and no one could stop us in our peaceful and legitimate struggle away from regional and international powers.
What is happening in Syria and what has happened recently in al-Ashrefiye of destruction and killing is condemned by our people and its council- People’s Council of Western Kurdistan- and those warring parts would not but gather us around our national values and would increase our insistence to demand our people’s rights and to establish a plural democratic Syria for all of its people.
We call upon our Kurdish people to gather around its political and field leadership and to resort means which would grant the security of its areas and would take the responsibilities in the legitimate right of self-defense. As we call upon the warring parts to commit to the Eid cease-fire and to stop the violence.
We ask mercy for victims and the injured would soon get recovered.
Shame be on criminal killers
The presidency of the People’s Council in Western Kurdistan.
25.10.2012
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