NEWS
1. The End of Democracy in Turkey
2. Full text of the joint statement of detained MPs of the HDP at court The End of Democracy in Turkey
3. DBP Co-chair: Words have become obsolete, now it’s time for resistance
4. Arrest Warrants Issued for Arrest of All 59 HDP MPs
5. International Women’s Alliance expresses solidarity with Kurdish women
6. Belgian Court decided not to prosecute Kurdish politicians and associations
7. Britain Must Condemn Tyranny In Turkey
8. HDP MP: The people of Diyarbakır won’t recognize the trustee 9. A ‘state of obeyers’ is being constructed
9. Kışanak, Akat Ata, Anlı Held in One-Person Cells
10. DBP: Diyarbakır has Witnessed Trustees Twice; 1980 Coup, 2016
11. Supreme Court Affirms HDP’s Yüksekdağ’s 10-Month Jail Term
12. RSF Places Erdoğan on List of Predator of Press Freedom
13. 22 Regions Declared Special Security Zone in Şırnak
14. Of 1,267 Academics Dismissed in New Statutory Decree, 24 Are Academics for Peace
15. Moslem: YPG to join the Raqqa operation under the umbrella of SDF
16. Inspired by Kurdish units, al-Bab Military Council creates all-female battalion
17. Islamic State, Turkey-backed rebels launch simultaneous attacks on Kurdish positions
18. Shahba Turkmen refuse the Turkish occupation
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
1. Kurds and Turks are at the edge of a cliff
2. 45 NGOs in Amed release joint declaration against the AKP coup
3. Turkey’s post-coup crackdown reaches media giants
4. Turkey is trying to put the brakes on the US’s next big move against ISIS — but Obama isn’t having it
5. Iraq ‘ready for war’ with Turkey over who should control Mosul after Isis
6. Abadi says ‘we are ready’ if Turkey wants war
7. Erdogan revives Ottoman-era designs on Iraq, Syria
8. Syria rejects Russian proposal for Kurdish federation
9. The Anarchist Bookfair and Robin Yassin Kassab’s Problematic Approach to Rojava
10. Speaking Up for Free Speech
11. American Journalist Killed in Turkey for Revealing the Truth Regarding ISIS-Daesh
REPORTS & STATEMENTS
1. PIK: Open Letter to Celebrate World Kobane Day 1 November
2. PIK statement: Free Gulten Kisanak and Firat Anli
3. Message of solidarity from Pen International
4. We Salute Freedom on the Second Anniversary of Kobanê Victory!
5. WORLD KOBANE DAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016
NEW BOOK – ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!
EVENTS
Democratic transformations, Kurdish women and regional conflict: Lessons from Rojava and Beyond
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NEWS
1. The End of Democracy in Turkey
4 November/HDP English
Last night the purge of President Erdogan against our party has reached another peak: our Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdag, along with 11 further Members of Parliament of our party have been detained across Turkey last night. More arrests are to be expected. The goal of these measures is to shut down the third largest party in parliament. This is a dark day not only for our party but for all of Turkey and the region as it means the end of democracy in Turkey.
http://www.hdp.org.tr/en/english/statements/the-end-of-democracy-in-turkey/9189
2. Full text of the joint statement of detained MPs of the HDP at court
4 November/ANF News
“My party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), entered the parliament with 80 deputies in the June 7 General Elections by more than 6 million votes and by exceeding the 10% electoral threshold. By the way of democratic politics and the will of the ballot, my party has prevented AKP from coming to power alone and rewriting the constitution on their own. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who wants to build a ‘one-man’ regime in the country with no reservations on committing any and all acts of unlawfulness to this end, did not respect the outcome of the elections and forced early elections by preventing a coalition government from being formed. Erdoğan ended the 3-year long solution process because it didn’t suit his interests or work to increase his votes, and dragged the country into an atmosphere of conflict, throwing the country into the flames.
http://anfenglish.com/news/full-text-of-the-joint-statement-of-detained-mps-of-the-hdp-at-court
3. DBP Co-chair: Words have become obsolete, now it’s time for resistance
4 November/ANF News
DBP Co-chair Sebahat Tuncel and DTK Co-chair Leyla Güven held a press conference in the DBP provincial branch. Güven protested the detentions of last night and said: “Words have become obsolete. Today is the day to resist. Today is the day to scream against fascism on every street.”
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/dbp-co-chair-words-have-become-obsolete-now-it-s-time-for-resistance
4. Arrest Warrants Issued for Arrest of All 59 HDP MPs
3 November/Kurdish Question
Turkey’s Interior Ministry has confirmed that 11 Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers have been detained by police in operations across the country tonight.
Those detained include HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag.
The other detained MPs are Sirri Sureyya Onder, Ziya Pir, Ferhat Encü, Leyla Birlik, Mehmet Ali Aslan, Nursel Aydoğan, Gulser Yildirim, Idris Baluken, Abdullah Zeydan.
http://kurdishquestion.com/article/3577-arrest-warrants-issued-for-arrest-of-all-59-hdp-mps
5. International Women’s Alliance expresses solidarity with Kurdish women
3 November/ANF News
The International Women’s Alliance (IWA) strongly condemned the brutal attack on Kurdish women in a protest rally held on October 26 against the detention of Gültan Kışanak -the first female mayor of Diyarbakir -and Firat Anli, co-mayors of the Kurdish city who had been detained in the evening of October 25.
http://anfenglish.com/women/international-women-s-alliance-expresses-solidarity-with-kurdish-women
6. Belgian Court decided not to prosecute Kurdish politicians and associations
3 November/Info Turk
In 2010 an investigation was opened by the Belgian Federal prosecutor against Kurdish politicians and associations in Belgium for terrorism accusations.
Among those subject to the investigation were Remzi Kartal, Zübeyir Aydar, Adem Uzun, Kurdish Television and other Kurdish associations in Belgium.
http://www.info-turk.be/459.htm#Belgian
7. Britain Must Condemn Tyranny In Turkey
3 November/Morning Star
In this open letter to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, the Peace in Kurdistan campaign calls on the government to demand Turkey release the democratically elected Diyarbakir mayors and all Kurdish officials
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-1079-Britain-must-condemn-tyranny-in-Turkey#.WBteT-l-4yE
8. HDP MP: The people of Diyarbakır won’t recognize the trustee
3 November/ANF News
Following the arrests of Amed Metropolitan Municipality Co-mayors Gültan Kışanak and Fırat Anlı, the people protesting the appointed trustee gathered in front of the municipality building today as well. HDP Amed MPs Nursel Aydoğan, Feleknas Uca and Sibel Yiğitalp, municipality workers and a large crowd attended the protest and Aydoğan gave a brief speech.
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hdp-mp-the-people-of-diyarbakir-won-t-recognize-the-trustee
9. A ‘state of obeyers’ is being constructed
30 October/HDP.org
On 29 October 2016 the Erdoğan-AKP government issued Decrees No 675-676 with the Power of Law in the framework of the State of Emergency.
Some of the immediate and concrete results of these decrees are as follows: -10 thousand 159 teachers, health workers, academicians, ministry employees, public employees including HDP Vice-Co-Chair Sezai Temelli and the groups and deputy advisors working for our Parliamentary group have been unlawfully fired in the absence of a court decision.
http://www.hdp.org.tr/en/statements/en//en/statements/a-state-of-obeyers-is-being-constructed/9166
10. Kışanak, Akat Ata, Anlı Held in One-Person Cells
4 November/Bianet English
Diyarbakır Metropolitan Co-Mayors Gültan Kışanak and Fırat Anlı, and Free Women Congress (KJA) Term Spokesperson and former MP Ayla Akat Ata have been transferred to Kocaeli F Type Prison from Diyarbakır.
http://bianet.org/english/law/180253-kisanak-akat-ata-anli-held-in-one-person-cells
11. DBP: Diyarbakır has Witnessed Trustees Twice; 1980 Coup, 2016
2 November/Bianet English
With the press meeting held today (November 2), The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) reacted against trustee appointment to Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality. DBP Co-Chairs Sebahat Tuncel and Kamuran Yüksek, Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Leyla Güven, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Nursel Aydoğan, HDP Siirt MP Besime Konca, HDP Ağrı MP Dirayet Taşdemir, and DBP and HDP co-mayors participated in the meeting.
http://bianet.org/english/politics/180280-dbp-diyarbakir-has-witnessed-trustees-twice-1980-coup-2016
12. Supreme Court Affirms HDP’s Yüksekdağ’s 10-Month Jail Term
4 November/Bianet English
10-month prison sentence imposed on Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ has been affirmed by Supreme Court 16th Penal Chamber
http://bianet.org/english/politics/180308-supreme-court-affirms-hdp-s-yuksekdag-s-10-month-jail-term
13. RSF Places Erdoğan on List of Predator of Press Freedom
2 November/Bianet English
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) included President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the list of “Predator of Press Freedom” on November 2 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.Turkey was lastly on the list in 2002 with former Chief of General Staff Hüseyin Kıvrıkoğlu.
http://bianet.org/english/media/180268-rsf-places-erdogan-on-list-of-predator-of-press-freedom
14. 22 Regions Declared Special Security Zone in Şırnak
1 November/Bianet English
Şırnak Governorship has announced that 22 regions where operations will soon be held, have been declared “temporary special security zone”. The special security zone will be in effect as of today (November 1) for 15 days.
http://bianet.org/english/society/180207-22-regions-declared-special-security-zone-in-sirnak
15. Of 1,267 Academics Dismissed in New Statutory Decree, 24 Are Academics for Peace
31 October/Bianet English
In the new Statutory Decree No. 675 issued on October 29, 1267 academics have been dismissed. Including the 24 signees of the peace declaration by academic who were also among the dismissed 1267, the number of Academics for Peace members dismissed in the statutory decrees issued in the state of emergencies has risen to 68.
http://bianet.org/english/human-rights/180172-of-1-267-academics-dismissed-in-new-statutory-decree-24-are-academics-for-peace
16. Moslem: YPG to join the Raqqa operation under the umbrella of SDF
2 November/ANF English
In the new Statutory Decree No. 675 issued on October 29, 1267 academics have been dismissed. Including the 24 signees of the peace declaration by academic who were also among the dismissed 1267, the number of Acedemics for Peace members dismissed in the statutory decrees issued in the state of emergencies has risen to 68.
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/moslem-ypg-to-join-the-raqqa-operation-under-the-umbrella-of-sdf
17. Inspired by Kurdish units, al-Bab Military Council creates all-female battalion
1 November/ARA News
Al-Bab Military Council announced on Monday the establishment of its first all-female battalion. The two-month-old council is a joint Kurdish-Arab initiative, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
http://aranews.net/2016/11/inspired-kurdish-ypj-units-al-bab-military-council-launches-female-battalion-fight-isis/
18. Islamic State, Turkey-backed rebels launch simultaneous attacks on Kurdish positions
3 November/ARA News
Several Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) headquarters in Aleppo Governorate were exposed on Wednesday to simultaneous attacks by Islamic State (ISIS) militants and Turkey-backed rebels.
http://aranews.net/2016/11/isis-turkey-backed-rebels-launch-simultaneous-attacks-kurdish-positions-aleppo/
19. Shahba Turkmen refuse the Turkish occupation
2 November/Hawar News Agency
Turkmen citizens of Shahba regions have said” the Turkish state is occupying Shahba regions under the pretext of protecting us, but where were they when we were oppressed by the Baathist regime? And they assured their rejection of any Turkish occupation, describing the Turkish intervention as world conspiracy on Shahba region.
http://en.hawarnews.com/shahba-turkmen-refuse-the-turkish-occupation/
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
1. Kurds and Turks are at the edge of a cliff
2 November/Open Democracy
Ayla Akat, lawyer, former Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) MP for Batman, KJA Spokesperson and prominent Kurdish women’s rights activists based in Diyarbakir (Amed) was arrested a few days ago alongside other Kurdish women’s rights activists.
https://opendemocracy.net/nadje-al-ali-latif-tas-ayla-akat/kurds-and-turks-are-at-edge-of-cliff
2. 45 NGOs in Amed release joint declaration against the AKP coup
4 November/ANF News
45 professional organisations and NGOs came together in Amed’s Sümer Park Reception Hall and held a meeting on the outcomes of the State of Emergency, the arrest of Amed co-mayors and the coup against the press.
http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/45-ngos-in-amed-release-joint-declaration-against-the-akp-coup
3. Turkey’s post-coup crackdown reaches media giants
3 November/Al Monitor
Mounting terror threats, massive purges, shrinking press freedom and government pressure on the business world are beginning to take their toll on Turkey, including its media bosses.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/11/turkey-crackdown-media-bosses-cumhuriyet-investments.html?utm_source=Boomtrain&utm_medium=manual&utm_campaign=20161103&bt_ee=HtANu30dVnO1r9v/4jEsQ4nzAXvvWoBlkXJZjMgxDOJrcBU6CftIFzmdG2Gj/FTv&bt_ts=1478193660376
4. Turkey is trying to put the brakes on the US’s next big move against ISIS — but Obama isn’t having it
1 November/Business Insider
The US and Turkey rarely see eye to eye these days.
On Monday, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Numan Kurtulmus, told reporters that Ankara wants the US-led anti-ISIS coalition to wait to move on Raqqa, the jihadist group’s de facto capital in Syria, until after the operation to dislodge the group from its Iraqi stronghold, Mosul, is completed.
http://uk.businessinsider.com/turkey-us-raqqa-isis-offensive-2016-10?r=US&IR=T
5. Iraq ‘ready for war’ with Turkey over who should control Mosul after Isis
2 November/Independent
Iraq and Turkey are threatening to go to war with each other over who should hold power in Mosul and the surrounding region after the defeat of Isis. Turkish tanks and artillery have deployed along the border and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said that while Iraq “did not want war with Turkey” it is ready to fight one if necessary.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iraq-ready-for-war-with-turkey-over-who-should-control-mosul-a7394071.html
6. Abadi says ‘we are ready’ if Turkey wants war
2 November/Al Monitor
What is Turkey up to? The question gained fresh urgency today as Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik and Land Forces Commander Gen. Zeki Colak inspected troops in Hatay near the Syrian border a day after Turkish forces backed by tanks and other combat vehicles massed near the town of Silopi on Turkey’s border with Iraq. In a related development, Turkey’s chief of general staff, Hulusi Akar, flanked by the country’s powerful spy chief, Hakan Fidan, met with his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, in Moscow to talk about Syria.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/11/turkey-developments-iraq-syria-border-military.html#ixzz4P3d2KquK
7. Erdogan revives Ottoman-era designs on Iraq, Syria
27 October/Counter Vortex
An Oct. 23 AFP story relates how Syria’s Kurds are restoring ancient names to “Arabized” towns in the country’s north (where the regime has collapsed an a Kurdish-led autonomous administration holds power).
http://countervortex.org/node/15129
8. Syria rejects Russian proposal for Kurdish federation
24 October/Al Monitor
Dozens of Russian aircraft land daily at Khmeimim air base near Latakia, Syria. One such aircraft from Moscow that landed Sept. 17 didn’t attract attention, but its passengers, eight officials of Russia’s Foreign and Defense Ministries, were carrying documents that one day could alter the political scene of the region.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/turkey-russia-mediates-between-kurds-and-assad.html#ixzz4P3emxelb
9. The Anarchist Bookfair and Robin Yassin Kassab’s Problematic Approach to Rojava
31 October/Kurdish Question
An uncalled-for and upsetting incident took place at the Anarchist Bookfair in London on 29 October 2016. Several people claiming to represent the Kurdish people or the Rojava Revolution shut down an event attended by speakers Leila Al Shami, Robin Yassin Kassab and Shiar Neyo about the situation in Syria.
http://www.kurdishquestion.com/article/3562-the-anarchist-bookfair-and-robin-yassin-kassab-039-s-problematic-approach-to-rojava
10. Speaking Up for Free Speech
October/Live Encounters
Today in the age of global democracy and respect for otherness those who exercise freedom of speech are under attack from all quarters.
http://liveencounters.net/2016-2/12-december-2016/1-david-morgan-speaking-up-for-free-speech/
11. American Journalist Killed in Turkey for Revealing the Truth Regarding ISIS-Daesh
20 October/Global Research
Serena Shim was at the time reporting on Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), from the Turkish side. She was, in her own words, one of the first, if not the first, on the ground to report on ,“Takfiri militants going in through the Turkish border”. These include not only ISIS but also terrorists from the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA).
http://www.globalresearch.ca/american-journalist-killed-in-turkey-for-revealing-the-truth-regarding-isis-daesh/5551946
REPORTS & STATEMENTS
1. PIK: Open Letter to Celebrate World Kobane Day 1 November 2016!
November/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
In 2014, when they were successfully pushing back an assault by ISIS on their community and democratic institutions, the men and women of Kobane led by the Kurds demonstrated that ISIS was not invincible and that popular forces acting in unison can triumph over the bitterest and most vicious adversary.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2016/11/01/world-kobane-day-two-years-on-the-people-of-kobane-are-still-fighting-and-inspiring-us-all/
2. PIK statement: Free Gulten Kisanak and Firat Anli
November/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
The Co-Mayors of Diyarbakir, Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli, were arrested in a Turkish police operation on 25 October during a new crackdown on elected officials of the municipalities in the Kurdish southeast of the country. Numerous other senior officials have also been arrested in what is part of a continuing clampdown on democracy and civil rights in Turkey.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2016/11/01/free-gultan-kisanak-and-firat-anli-along-with-all-elected-kurdish-officials/
3. Message of solidarity from Pen International
November/Peace in Kurdistan Campaign
On the 3rdof October 2016, the Kurdish Channel Med-Nuçe was shut down by their satellite provider, on Turkey’s request. This channel reported news hourly and had 26 genuine programs focusing not only on the Kurdish issues but also on women, labor conditions, environment, and local and international political discussions. It was their window on the world.
https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2016/11/01/message-of-solidarity-from-pen-international/
4. We Salute Freedom on the Second Anniversary of Kobanê Victory!
November/HDP English
It is with pride that we salute the powerful resistance the people of Kobanê and in particular women fighters put up on the second anniversary of the historic struggle the Kurdish people waged against ISIS which constitutes a threat to humanity as a whole in the canton of Kobanê in Rojava. The city and people of Kobanê that some claimed to be “on the verge of falling”, have now become majestic symbols of all resistance against fascism inspiring hope and spirit of struggle in all peoples of the world.
http://www.hdp.org.tr/en/statements/en//en/statements/we-salute-freedom-on-the-second-anniversary-of-kobanê-victory/9173
5. WORLD KOBANE DAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016
http://worldkobaneday.com/2016/10/29/list-of-world-kobane-day-events-in-2016/
NEW BOOK – ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!
Revolution in Rojava: Democratic Autonomy and Women’s Liberation in Syrian Kurdistan
by Michael Knapp, Anja Flach and Ercan Ayboga
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolution-Rojava-Democratic-Autonomy-Liberation/dp/0745336590/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469111347&sr=8-3&keywords=rojava
https://coopfunding.net/en/campaigns/support-women-in-rojava-resist-fascism-build-co-operation/
EVENTS
Democratic transformations, Kurdish women and regional conflict: Lessons from Rojava and Beyond
10 December/Greenwich University
http://gre.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e2452e1694eadcb0fc06b9a03&id=c8c121a070&e=a2a5ffe204
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella24@tiscali.co.uk <mailto:estella24@tiscali.co.uk>
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.comContacts 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, 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