For all of the latest Kurdish news, see these sources:
ANF English: https://anfenglishmobile.com/
Hawar News: https://www.hawarnews.com/en/
Rojava Information Center: https://rojavainformationcenter.com
Women Defend Rojava: http://womendefendrojava.net/en/
Rojhelat: http://rojhelat.info/en/
Rojava Centre for Strategic Studies: https://nrls.net/en/
Komun Academy: https://komun-academy.com
Peoples’ Democratic Party: https://www.hdp.org.tr/en/
KCK-Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union: https://kck-info.com
NEWS
- Gorca Aligabarita Diaz: Keeping PKK on terrorist list is an obstacle to peace
- 9th prosecutor takes over the Şenyaşar Family massacre case
- Sêmalka protesters condemn KDP’s collaboration with Turkey
- No War in Northern Syria – Day X Mobilisation – Smash Turkish Fascism
- Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria prepares to enact ‘Ecology Conservation’ law
- Court rejects lifting of ban to travel abroad imposed on 6 journalists
- Seriously ill imprisoned journalist Devrim Ayık remains in prison
- Turkey urged to release Kurdish journalist
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
- Chomani: EU, US accomplice to migrant influx from Kurdistan
- The Voice of America – IS Cells in NE Syria Retaliate for Foiled Prison-Break Plot
- State of the Occupation: Rights Violations Continued During the Spring in Turkish-Occupied NES
MULTIMEDIA
- We must have a ‘very high-level’ delegation of experts to examine Turkey’s alleged chemical weapons use in Iraq, says political activist Dimitrios I. Roussopoulos
- The Time Has Come: Delist the PKK – Baroness Christine Blower
- ‘Silence over evidence of Turkey’s war crimes is utterly disgusting’, says veteran investigative journalist Emily Apple
- Turkey ‘must be challenged’ over chemical weapons use in Iraq, says Arthur West of Scottish CND
- (Video) Roots of Resistance and Criminalisation: Kurdistan and the Global War on Terror in Context
- (Video) IPPNW member Gisela Penteler: “Using chemical weapons is a war crime!”
- (Video) Interview with Mohammed Elnaiem on Self-Determination and the Struggle in Sudan
- Interview with Igor Zulaika about the Catalan Recognition of Kurdish Autonomy in Syria
STATEMENTS
- PRESS STATEMENT: LAUNCH OF THE COALITION AGAINST CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN KURDISTAN
- Statement in solidarity with World Kobane Day on 1 November 2021
- The International Association of Democratic Lawyers COP 26 statement
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NEWS
- Gorca Aligabarita Diaz: Keeping PKK on terrorist list is an obstacle to peace
13 November 2021|Hawar News
The Spanish Senator and Spokesperson for International Relations of the Basque Party EH Bildu, Gorka Elejabarrieta Diaz, one of the signatories to the campaign to de-list the PKK, said that in order to resolve the Kurdish Question through negotiations and dialogue negotiations must take place with all parties. Accordingly, the PKK must be removed from the EU’s terror list. Diaz also said that the Turkish state is taking advantage of keeping the PKK on the terrorist list in order to legitimize its attacks.
- 9th prosecutor takes over the Şenyaşar Family massacre case
12 November 2021|ANF English
The prosecutor of the investigation, which has been continuing for 3 years and 5 months under a “confidentiality” order concerning the murder of Hacı Esvet Şenyaşar and his sons Adil and Celal, at Suruç State Hospital on 14 June 2018 by the bodyguards and relatives of Turkey’s ruling AKP deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız, has been changed for the 9th time.
- Sêmalka protesters condemn KDP’s collaboration with Turkey
12 November 2021|ANF English
For 39 days, relatives of martyrs have been marching at the northern Syrian border crossing of Sêmalka to demand that the bodies of fallen guerrilla fighters be handed over by South Kurdistan’s ruling party, KDP. The mothers and relatives joining the protest action in a tent at Semelka border crossing have repeatedly been denied entry to South Kurdistan by the KDP forces. The KDP had recently promised to hand over the bodies of the martyrs to the families, but so far nothing has happened.
- No War in Northern Syria – Day X Mobilisation – Smash Turkish Fascism
8 November 2021|RiseUp4Rojava
As the RiseUp4Rojava campaign, the Internationalist Commune in Rojava, and Young Internationalist Women, we call for a worldwide mobilisation against the rising threat of a new large scale Turkish invasion of Northern Syria/Rojava. In light of the developments of recent weeks, we hereby renew our Day X call of 2019, which was the basis for hundreds of thousands of people around the world to take to the streets on October 9, 2019, in response to the Turkish army’s attack against the cities of Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî, against the war, and in solidarity with the resistance.
https://riseup4rojava.org/no-war-in-northern-syria-day-x-mobilisation/
- Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria prepares to enact ‘Ecology Conservation’ law
4 November 2021|ANF News
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has announced launch of preparations to enact an ‘Ecology Conservation’ law. This was decided on Wednesday at a meeting of the Committee for Ecology and Local Government. A separate committee will be formed to draft a bill to this end.
- Court rejects lifting of ban to travel abroad imposed on 6 journalists
3 November 2021|ANF English
Turkish Journalists Reyhan Hacıoğlu, Mehmet Ali Çelebi, Hicran Urun, Ishak Yasul, Pınar Tarlak and Ihsan Yaşar, are on trial on charges of “being a member of a terrorist organization”, “making propaganda for a terrorist organization”, “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” and “helping an illegal organization”. Lawyers Özcan Kılıç and Sercan Korkmaz demanded corrections in the file and that the ban on travelling abroad be lifted.
- Seriously ill imprisoned journalist Devrim Ayık remains in prison
5 November 2021|ANF English
The 6th hearing of the trial against seriously ill prisoner journalist Devrim Ayık on charges of “membership of a terrorist organization” was held at İzmir 2nd High Criminal Court. Ayık attended the hearing in Eskişehir H Type Prison via video link.
- Turkey urged to release Kurdish journalist
3 November 2021|Kurdistan 24
A joint statement signed by 54 organizations on Wednesday strongly urged Turkish authorities to immediately release imprisoned Kurdish journalist Nedim Türfent and overturn his conviction. “Today marks 2000 days since he was arrested and subsequently sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison on trumped-up terrorism charges following an unfair trial, during which scores of witnesses said they had been tortured into testifying against him,” the Turkish non-profit organization Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) said in a statement.
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/26120-Turkey-urged-to-release-Kurdish-journalist
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
- Chomani: EU, US accomplice to migrant influx from Kurdistan
12 November 2021|ANF English
As a large number of refugees, the majority of whom are from Kurdistan, are waiting on the Polish-Belarusian border in cold weather and poor living conditions, migration from southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) has again sparked a public debate in Kurdistan and European countries. Kemal Chomani, who comes from Southern Kurdistan says that people who escape from South Kurdistan should not be blamed and that there is not only an economic crisis but also a serious political crisis in Bashur.
- The Voice of America – IS Cells in NE Syria Retaliate for Foiled Prison-Break Plot
9 November 2021| Voice of America via Rojava Information Center
Suspected Islamic State sleeper cells launched a series of attacks against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria, in apparent retaliation after a plot to break thousands of the terror group’s supporters out of prison was foiled. The Rojava Information Center confirmed the attacks saying IS cells attacked SDF headquarters in Busayrah, about 30 kilometers southeast of Deir el-Zour. The RIC said Islamic State cells also hit SDF bases and positions in al-Shahil, al-Thiba and al-Zar, with unconfirmed reports that at least one other SDF checkpoint was also targeted. SDF forces suffered a handful of injuries, but the RIC researchers said they were successful in capturing two IS operatives with help from the United States.
- State of the Occupation: Rights Violations Continued During the Spring in Turkish-Occupied NES
31 October 2021|Rojava Information Center
RIC’s quarterly report on the state of the Turkish occupation in Northern Syria tracks human rights violations and crimes committed by Turkey and Turkish-backed SNA groups in the occupied regions of Afrin and the ‘M4 Strip’ – the border region between the occupied cities of Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad. During April-June, RIC found, among other things, mass arrests of Kurds accused of working with the AANES, 6 confirmed cases of torture so severe that the victims died in detention, 14 gender-based violations including the repeated rape of a 16-year-old girl in front of other male detainees, increased constructions of new settlments in the illegally occupied territory, theft and destruction of at least 16,785 privately-owned fruit bearing trees, increasingly harsh application of Islamic law including arrest of a 14-year-old girl for not wearing a veil.
MULTIMEDIA
- We must have a ‘very high-level’ delegation of experts to examine Turkey’s alleged chemical weapons use in Iraq, says political activist Dimitrios I. Roussopoulos
12 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Dimitrios I. Roussopoulos explains why Turkey must be investigated and challenged over its use of chemical weapons in South Kurdistan (Iraq). Roussopoulos also explains that the lack of action on the part of member states of the UN can largely be attributed to the fact that political leaders have their own ‘national interests’ to protect and promote first and foremost. He calls for a “very high-level international delegation” with medical and other experts be organised to visit the region, to gather evidence and compile a report on the situation and possible use of chemical weapons.
- The Time Has Come: Delist the PKK – Baroness Christine Blower
10 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Baroness Christine Blower, member of the House of Lords, supporter of Freedom for Ocalan Campaign and Patron of Peace in Kurdistan Campaign, reading the Open letter which Peace in Kurdistan sent to the Foreign Office calling for the de-listing of the PKK from the list of terrorist organisations. The UK government should take an opportunity to help resolve the Kurdish question in Turkey. If there is to be a meaningful peace process European governments need to take a stand and reconsider the listing of the PKK.
https://www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/the-time-has-come-delist-the-pkk/
- ‘Silence over evidence of Turkey’s war crimes is utterly disgusting’, says veteran investigative journalist Emily Apple
10 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Emily Apple is Senior Editor at The Canary, a supporter of the Freedom for Ocalan campaign, Peace in Kurdistan and the Kurdish Solidarity Network. During a recent interview with Kurdish journalist Erem Kansoy, Emily condemned the silence over evidence of war crimes committed by the Turkish state, including alleged chemical weapons use in Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Turkey ‘must be challenged’ over chemical weapons use in Iraq, says Arthur West of Scottish CND
9 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Arthur West is a veteran Scottish peace campaigner and former Chairperson of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. In an interview with journalist Erem Kansoy, West discusses public support for nuclear disarmament in Scotland, the role of NATO as a “nuclear weapons based alliance” and calls for Turkey to be investigated and challenged on its use of chemical weapons in South Kurdistan (Iraq).
- (Video) Roots of Resistance and Criminalisation: Kurdistan and the Global War on Terror in Context
8 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
On 6 November 2021, CAMPACC and Peace in Kurdistan co-sponsored a panel discussion with Professor Felix Padel and Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley on the Kurdish struggle for self-determination within the contet of the Global War on Terror. Both of their draft papers, upon which their lecturs were based, are available to download and will ultimately be finalized for a publication on the subject of self-determination.
- (Video) IPPNW member Gisela Penteler: “Using chemical weapons is a war crime!”
2 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Gisela Pentler, a member of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in Germany, comments on Turkey’s use of chemical weapons.
- (Video) Interview with Mohammed Elnaiem on Self-Determination and the Struggle in Sudan
1 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Dr. Jeff Miley of Peace in Kurdistan interviews Mohammed Elnaiem about struggles for self-determination in the 21st century in general, and about the ongoing struggle in the Sudan in particular. Mohammed Elnaiem is a PhD. student at the University of Cambridge and an activist on the Sudanese left.
- Interview with Igor Zulaika about the Catalan Recognition of Kurdish Autonomy in Syria
1 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Dr. Jeff Miley of Peace in Kurdistan interviews Igor Zulaika, on 1 November 2021, about the significance of the Catalan parliament’s recent recognition of the Autonomous Administration of North East Syria (AANES), as well as about developments in the Spanish state, especially in relation to the national question. Igor Zulaika is the International Coordinator for Euskal Herria Bildu, the Basque Country’s left, pro-independence coalition.
STATEMENTS
- PRESS STATEMENT: LAUNCH OF THE COALITION AGAINST CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN KURDISTAN
4 November 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
A new initiative has been launched today to stop Turkey’s illegal war in Iraqi Kurdistan and hold it to account for its alleged use of chemical weapons. The Coalition Against Chemical Weapons in Kurdistan is backed by the British-based organisations Peace in Kurdistan, the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities and the Defend Kurdistan Initiative UK. It is making preparations to send a delegation to Kurdistan where it plans to hold high-level meetings with officials from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the British consulate.
- Statement in solidarity with World Kobane Day on 1 November 2021
31 October 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
Seven years ago, the struggle of the Kurdish people in Kobane was on the front line of the struggle for all of humanity. They were not just fighting the Islamic State; they were fighting the forces of barbarism, of ignorance and intolerance, the forces of mass murder and misogyny and those who, like the Turkish state, would excuse them and use them to further their own selfish interests. People in Britain have a particular responsibility for the fate of the Kurdish people. At the end of WWI there were two great losers when the British and French imperialists carved up the old Ottoman Empire; the Palestinians and the Kurds. Their suffering endures down to the present day. Enough! It must end, it must be stopped.
- The International Association of Democratic Lawyers COP 26 statement
29 October 2021|Peace in Kurdistan
This statement addresses the climate and biodiversity crisis and suggests solutions. The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) calls upon the States Parties attending COP 26 not only to adhere to their obligations under the Paris Agreement but go beyond the non-binding targets and achieve real zero emissions and not rely on net zero targets, as well as for Global North powers to provide climate debt reparations to the countries of the Global South, who have borne the brunt of exploitation, forced de-development and climate crisis.
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella@gn.apc.org
https://www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaceinkurdistan1/
Contacts Estella Schmid: 07846 666 804 & Melanie Gingell: 07572 430903
Patrons: John Austin, Baroness Blower of Starch Green, former GS NUT, Prof Bill Bowring, Julie Christie, Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Prof Mary Davis, Lord Dholakia, Simon Dubbins, UNITE International Director, Jill Evans, former MEP, Desmond Fernandes, Lindsey German, Convenor STWC, Melanie Gingell, Christopher Gingell, Prof Dr. Michael Gunter, Secretary-General, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC), Rahila Gupta, journalist, Nick Hildyard, policy advisor, Dafydd Iwan, Former President Plaid Cymru, James Kelman, Bruce Kent, Jean Lambert, former MEP, Dr Les Levidow, Open University, Elfyn Llwyd, John McDonnell MP; Aonghas MacNeacail, Scottish Gaelic poet, Mike Mansfield QC, David Morgan, journalist, Doug Nicholls, General Secretary, GFTU, Dr. Jessica Ayesha Northey, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Kate Osamor MP, Margaret Owen OBE, Ali Gul Ozbek, Former Councillor and Mayor of Haringey; Gareth Peirce, Dr Felix Padel, Maxine Peake, actor, Dr Thomas Phillips, Liverpool John Moores University, Trevor Rayne, writer, Joe Ryan, Tony Simpson, Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, Stephen Smellie, PIK Trade Union Liaison Officer, Jonathan Steele, journalist, Steve Sweeney, journalist, Gianni Tognoni, General Secretary Permanent People’s Tribunal, Dr Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Dr Federico Venturini, Associate Researcher, University of Udine, Italy; Dr Tom Wakeford, Dr Derek Wall, Julie Ward, former MEP, Kariane Westrheim, Chair, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC); Hywel Williams MP.