1. Thousands in Paris: We won’t allow the case to be covered up
2. KCK: We will bring the perpetrators of Paris massacre to justice
3. Êzidîs call upon the PKK and the world
4. The Yazidi Forces will defend the Yazidis against Turkey and Barzani!
5. KCK: Peshmergas’ visit to Qandil is a response to Turkish occupation
6. 4 DBP Co-Mayors Arrested, Trustee Appointed to Ömerli Municipality
7. Turkey ousts 6 Kurdish language professors in Artuklu University
8. Call from TİHV for Editors-in-Chief Hearing to be Held on January 11
9. 9 HDP Executives Including İstanbul Co-Chairs Arrested
10. Turkey’s war on Syrian Kurds under scrutiny
11. Syria citadel near Raqqa captured by US-backed Kurds
12. 12. Brits travelling to Syria to fight ISIS should not be treated as terrorists, says foreign fighter
13. Former soldier under threat from extremists after trying to join Kurds against Islamic State
14. Turkey needs Russia, Iran to fight threats: Pundit
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
1. Turkey Keeps on Bombing the Kurds as it Smiles to the World
2. The Kurdish woman building a feminist democracy and fighting Isis at the same time
3. The Reina atrocity shows how deeply Islamic fanaticism has taken hold in Turkey
4. Turkey: Winner or loser in Syria?
5. Turkey: DAF, anarchist newspaper Meydan #35 — ‘we are being cornered’ (tr)
6. Journalism On Trial In Turkey
7. Turkey and the Alevis
8. Turkey Must Come to Terms With All its Terrorists
9. Controlling the Narrative on Syria by Louis Allday
10. MAKING AN EXAMPLE OUT OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WHO COVER SYRIA
PIK – WOMEN ALLIANCE
1. JUSTICE FOR SAKINE CANSIZ, FIDAN DOGAN AND LEYLA SAYLEMEZ
THE PERPETRATORS MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT
2. Acceptance Speech by Mozn Hassan (Nazra for Feminist Studies) for the 2016 Right Livelihood Award
3. Women’s Alliance News Briefing December 2016
4. Message of solidarity for January 9th, Day of Common Action Against Political
CAMPAIGNS, EVENTS
1. Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan – Media Release: Police action risks criminalising a community
2. Unity of Democratic Forces Protest and march on 15 January 2pm: Unite against Fascism in Turkey!
NEWS
1. Thousands in Paris: We won’t allow the case to be covered up
7 January/ANF News
Thousands of Kurds living in Europe have gathered in Paris to remember PKK founding mumber Sakine Cansız, Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) Paris Representative Fidan Doğan and Kurdish Youth Movement member Leyla Şaylemez who were assassinated in Kurdistan Information Center in the heart of the French capital on January 9, 2013.
http://anfenglish.com/women/thousands-in-paris-we-won-t-allow-the-case-to-be-covered-up
2. KCK: We will bring the perpetrators of Paris massacre to justice
8 January/ANF News
KCK Executive Council Co-presidency issued a written statement on the anniversary of January 9 Paris massacre and emphasized that the genocidal and colonialist Turkish state and AKP government were responsible for the assassination of Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Şaylemez. KCK commemorated the 3 slain Kurdish women, and said that the massacre was targeting the passion for freedom embodied in Cansız, Doğan and Şaylemez.
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/kck-we-will-bring-the-perpetrators-of-paris-massacre-to-justice
3. Êzidîs call upon the PKK and the world
8 January/ANF News
The Democratic Êzidî Society Coordination had held a meeting, with the participation of more than 60 delegates from across Kurdistan, Europe, Russia and Armenia, on Mount Shengal between December 25-28. The coordination issued the final declaration of this meeting, where it described the PKK as the hope of Êzidî people and called upon the guerillas to not withdraw from Shengal.
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/ezidis-call-upon-the-pkk-and-the-world
4. The Yazidi Forces will defend the Yazidis against Turkey and Barzani!
9 January/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
Turkey and it’s ally Mahmoud Barzani have in the last weeks threatened to attack Sinjar. We as Yazidi’s are baffled that they want to attack the survivors of a genocide. At the same time we declare that we will defend ourselves this time against any attack. We as YBS and YJS will fight against any force that attacks us.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2017/01/09/the-yazidi-forces-will-defend-the-yazidis-against-turkey-and-barzani/
5. KCK: Peshmergas’ visit to Qandil is a response to Turkish occupation
8 January/ANF News
In its statement, KCK said that Peshmergas represent the will of the people in South Kurdistan and their visit to Qandil is a meaningful response to Turkish occupation. KCK said ‘The visit of Peshmergas, that have fought for the freedom of Kurdistan, to Qandil has bolster the morale of us and our people. We thank the Peshmergas for their visit to Qandil. Their feelings, yearnings, and great patriotism will live on in our struggle for freedom. Our guerillas will enhance the Struggle for Freedom in order to respond to their request.’
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/kck-peshmergas-visit-to-qandil-is-a-response-to-turkish-occupation
6. 4 DBP Co-Mayors Arrested, Trustee Appointed to Ömerli Municipality
6 January/Bianet English
Co-Mayor of Kulp district of southeastern Diyarbakır province Sadiye Süer Baran, co-Mayor of Viranşehir district of southeastern Urfa province Emrullah Cin and co-Mayors of Bozova district of Urfa province Zeynel Taş and Fatma Doğan have been arrested.
http://bianet.org/english/politics/182461-4-dbp-co-mayors-arrested-trustee-appointed-to-omerli-municipality
7. Turkey ousts 6 Kurdish language professors in Artuklu University
9 January/Kurd Press
Turkish government has ousted 6 professors of Kurdish language in Artuklu University in the Kurdish southeastern city of Mardin. All members of Turkey Living Language Institute’ Committee, the professors have been ousted by Turkish government. Ferhat Yilmaz, Masut Keskin, Michael Bulbul, Remezan Cecen, Remazan Pertu and Salim Tamu Ergul are the six professors.
http://www.kurdpress.com/En/NSite/FullStory/News/?Id=14996#Title=Turkey%20ousts%206%20Kurdish%20language%20professors%20in%20Artuklu%20University
8. Call from TİHV for Editors-in-Chief Hearing to be Held on January 11
11 January/Bianet English
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) has made a call for TİHV Chair Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Reporters Without Borders Representative to Turkey, bianet rapporteur Erol Önderoğlu and journalist-author Ahmet Nesin, who are facing a trial for participating in Özgür Gündem daily newspaper’s Editors-in-Chief on Watch campaign.
http://bianet.org/english/media/182476-call-from-tihv-for-editors-in-chief-hearing-to-be-held-on-january-11
9. 9 HDP Executives Including İstanbul Co-Chairs Arrested
5 January/Bianet English
Nine Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executives including the party’s İstanbul Provincial Co-Chairs Aysel Güzel and Doğan Erbaş have been arrested. Güzel, Erbaş and HDP executives were detained as part of an investigation launched by İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Terror and Organized Crime Bureau on December 12.
http://bianet.org/english/politics/182398-9-hdp-executives-including-istanbul-co-chairs-arrested
10. Turkey’s war on Syrian Kurds under scrutiny
8 January/ARA News
The Turkish Army announced the death of 291 Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) during military operations in northern Syria.
http://aranews.net/2017/01/turkeys-war-on-syrian-kurds-under-scrutiny/
11. Syria citadel near Raqqa captured by US-backed Kurds
6 January/Middle East Monitor
US-backed militias in Syria have captured an ancient citadel from Daesh in a strategically significant advance against the militant group in its stronghold of Raqqa province, a spokesman said today.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170106-syria-citadel-near-raqqa-captured-by-us-backed-kurds/
12. Brits travelling to Syria to fight ISIS should not be treated as terrorists, says foreign fighter
5 January/Russia Today
A British man, who has twice travelled to northern Syria to fight against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) alongside the Kurdish YPG militia group, says foreign volunteers like himself “should not be treated as terrorists.”
https://www.rt.com/uk/372737-kurds-isis-foreign-macer/
13. Former soldier under threat from extremists after trying to join Kurds against Islamic State
4 January/The Telegraph
A former British soldier arrested while travelling to fight against Islamic State in Syria received death threats from extremists and had to be held in solitary confinement for his own safety, a court has heard.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/04/former-soldier-threat-extremists-trying-join-kurds-against-islamic/
14. Turkey needs Russia, Iran to fight threats: Pundit
6 January/Press TV
Turkey has been the scene of terrorist bombings and attacks, which have escalated in recent weeks. On Thursday, an explosion struck near a courthouse in the western Turkish city of Izmir, leaving two people dead and several others wounded.
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2017/01/06/505027/Turkey-Daesh-Kurds-Syria-Russia-bagci-Davidson
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
1. Turkey Keeps on Bombing the Kurds as it Smiles to the World
30 December/The Dawn
The Middle East has been suffering a war of aggression for five years, which has turned it into a chaotic region, an arena where the big powers as well as regional powers fight their battles. All of this sometimes shadows the struggles of the Kurdish people. And also the constant repression that Turkey unleashes on them.
http://www.thedawn-news.org/2017/01/03/turkey-keeps-on-bombing-the-kurds-as-it-smiles-to-the-world/
2. The Kurdish woman building a feminist democracy and fighting Isis at the same time
5 January/The Independent
Asya Abdullah is not a polished politician. She speaks slowly and deliberately in Kurmanji in a tone which suggests she has had to practise her material many times.
But despite the reserved and careful exterior, Abdullah is one of the most radical and effective revolutionaries in the world today.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/kurdish-woman-building-feminist-democrac-fighting-isis-at-the-same-time-syria-kurdistan-rojava-new-a7487151.html
3. The Reina atrocity shows how deeply Islamic fanaticism has taken hold in Turkey
3 January/The Guardian
Last year was one of incessant tension and sorrow for Turkey. A series of deadly terror attacks left the entire country fearful, traumatised. There were public funerals in almost every town, but even grief can’t unite a society as polarised as ours.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/03/reina-islamic-fanaticism-turkey-new-years-eve-massacre
4. Turkey: Winner or loser in Syria?
5 January/Al Monitor
“The country is at a critical juncture — or perhaps beyond it. Because of the sad loss of democracy within its borders and the repeated mistakes of [Turkey’s] AKP [Justice and Development Party] government in Syria, because of the turbulence of the Middle East and the changing world scene, our big cities have become a new front for terrorists. Once we thought Turkey would be a shining role model for the Muslim world; now we are worried that our country may in fact be following some of its worst examples.”
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/01/turkey-syria-terror-will-hit-country-during-2017.html?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=manual&utm_campaign=20170106&bt_ee=dWlMcxH8jzO7TpPLbBevLDuViH5pHC1zGYl0bAWHND3VojEhxu6czfE9CyQngOct&bt_ts=1483727750284
5. Turkey: DAF, anarchist newspaper Meydan #35 — ‘we are being cornered’ (tr)
6 January/Anarchist Infos
Late last month the editor of Meydan anarchist newspaper in Istanbul was sentenced to a year and three months in prison for “supporting terror,” the latest in a string of attempts by the Turkish State to shut down dissenting voices against Erdogan’s government. Today we are proud to publish a translation of Meydan’s uncompromising response, from their latest edition. —- We are being cornered —- With the fear and shock that constantly oppresses our lives, with the agendas that change by the day, by the hour, with the constant repetition we see in news articles, debates, newspapers and radios, with the shares and retweets, the media that takes us for idiots and is fed by manipulation, with the gentrification and demolition policies that erase our past, our identity and our memory, with the “illusion of democracy” that weakens and imprisons our freedom, and with the reality that becomes more and more incomprehensible everyday, we are being cornered.
http://ainfos.ca/en/
6. Journalism On Trial In Turkey
4 January/Morning Star
THE arrest of prominent investigative journalist Ahmet Sik last week is the latest in the post-coup clampdown on democracy and free speech in Turkey.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-15ad-Journalism-on-trial-in-Turkey/#.WG06tul-4yE
7. Turkey and the Alevis
5 January/Foreign Affairs
In an unverified recording released in November, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State (ISIS), demanded that his followers wage war against Turkey.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2017-01-05/turkey-and-alevis
8. Turkey Must Come to Terms With All its Terrorists
7 January/Fair Observer
The figures for terrorist attacks and those killed in Turkey as a result in 2016 are staggering as the death toll reaches 300 with seemingly no respite from the relentless killings in sight. In the early hours of 2017, the attack on a New Year’s party at the Reina nightclub seemed to signify that the bloodshed on the streets of Turkey will continue.
http://www.fairobserver.com/politics/turkey-terrorism-attacks-kurds-islamic-state-news-headlines-89145/
9. Controlling the Narrative on Syria by Louis Allday
13 December/Monthly Review
Since 2011, the torrent of ill-informed, inaccurate and often entirely dishonest analysis of events in Syria has been unremitting. I have written previously about the dangers of using simplistic explanations to make sense of the conflict, a problem that has surfaced repeatedly over the past five years.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2016/allday131216.html
10. MAKING AN EXAMPLE OUT OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WHO COVER SYRIA
27 November/Shadow Proof
On this week’s “Unauthorized Disclosure” podcast, journalist Rania Khalek talks a bit about what she has learned while reporting in Syria. Khalek also addresses the smear attacks on her reputation, which led to her resignation from an editorial position at Electronic Intifada. It has impacted her ability to convince media outlets to publish her work while she is in Lebanon to cover stories in Syria and other nearby countries.
https://shadowproof.com/2016/11/27/making-example-independent-journalists-syria/
PIK – WOMEN ALLIANCE
1. JUSTICE FOR SAKINE CANSIZ, FIDAN DOGAN AND LEYLA SAYLEMEZ
THE PERPETRATORS MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT
6 January/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
Four years have passed since the murders of Sakine Cansiz, Fidan Dogan and Leyla Saylemez in their office at the Kurdish Information Center in Paris. The women died by gun shots to their heads at close range, assassination style on 9th January 2013[1]. The suspect in the case, who was linked to the Turkish security services in Ankara, died in prison suddenly on 17th December, a month before his trial was due to start. There had been no prior indications of ill health.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2017/01/06/justice-for-sakine-cansiz-fidan-dogan-and-leyla-saylemez-the-perpetrators-must-be-held-to-account/
2. Acceptance Speech by Mozn Hassan (Nazra for Feminist Studies) for the 2016 Right Livelihood Award
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1aMZn2cUMs&feature=youtu.be
3. Women’s Alliance News Briefing December 2016
19 December/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2016/12/19/womens-alliance-news-briefing-december-2016/
4. Message of solidarity for January 9th, Day of Common Action Against Political Murders of Women: Julie Ward MEP
9 January/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
I salute the memory of Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan, and Leyla Şaylemez, Kurdish women politicians, and the three KJA (Free Women’s Congress) executive members, Sêvê Demir, Pakize Nayir and Fatma Uyar, all of whom paid a heavy price for their progressive political views, their feminist activism, their service to their communities and to the greater good of man and womankind.
CAMPAIGNS, EVENTS
1. Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan – Media Release: Police action risks criminalising a community
9 January/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
News that police in Edinburgh are investigating alleged fund raising for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organisation, has raised concerns that Turkish officials are attempting to intimidate the Scottish Kurdish community.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2017/01/09/scottish-solidarity-with-kurdistan/
2. Unity of Democratic Forces Protest and march on 15 January 2pm: Unite against Fascism in Turkey!
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2017/01/09/rally-and-march-january-15th-against-turkish-state-fascism/
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella24@tiscali.co.uk
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com
Contacts Estella Schmid 020 7586 5892 & Melanie Gingell – Tel: 020 7272 7890
Fax: 020 7263 0596
Patrons: Lord Rea, Lord Dholakia, Baroness Sarah Ludford, Jill Evans MEP, Jean Lambert MEP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Hywel Williams MP, Kate Osamor MP, Elfyn Llwyd, Dafydd Iwan, Former President Plaid Cymru, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, John Austin, Christine Blower, NUT International Secretary, Simon Dubbins, UNITE International Director, Doug Nicholls, General Secretary, General Federations of Trade Unions, Bruce Kent, Gareth Peirce, Julie Christie, Noam Chomsky, John Berger, James Kelman, Margaret Owen OBE, Prof Mary Davis, Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Mark Thomas, Nick Hildyard, Stephen Smellie, Derek Wall, Melanie Gingell, Steve Sweeney