Conflict resolution

HDP releases information file on latest wave of attacks

The HDP has released an information file on the violence in Turkey since late July. This is an important dossier which contains detailed information on how the AKP government is attempting to break the HDP’s political power and undermine the peace process. The introduction to the file is below, and you can download the full pdf here.

PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY: FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

INFORMATION FILE ON VIOLENCE IN TURKEY

INTRODUCTION

After the General Elections on June 7th 2015, Peoples’ Democratic Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi or HDP) became one of the most significant political actors in Turkey. In particular, Kurds, socialists, Alawites, Non-Muslim groups, democratic conservatives, social democrats, ecologists and other historically marginalized or oppressed identities in Turkey have supported the HDP in the search for expanded collective rights in Turkey’s political and judiciary system. Continue reading “HDP releases information file on latest wave of attacks” →

Kurdish Women

Women’s Movement releases report about the latest violence in Turkey

The Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK) have released a report with their evaluation of the latest developments in Turkey and across the region. You can download the full report here and we have included below the first part of the report.

logo_KJK

Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK)
Umbrella organisation of the Kurdish Women’s Liberation Movement

Background Information File

Roadmap of the escalation: How did the Turkish-Kurdish conflict upsurge again?

  1. Political Evaluation by the KJK:

The Turkish state has declared total war on the Kurdish people. The decision to undertake this strategy of total war was made at the meeting of Turkey’s National Security Council on 30 October 2014, when the resistance against attacks by the ISIS terrorist organisation in Kobanê, Rojava (i.e. western Kurdistan, the Kurdish region Syria) reached its peak. This meeting, which lasted more than 10 hours, was illegitimately chaired by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; according to Turkish law, only the country’s Prime Minister can lead National Security Council meetings. Continue reading “Women’s Movement releases report about the latest violence in Turkey” →

Kurdish Women

Joint appeal from Kurdish Women’s Movement calls for signatures

To sign your name, you can contact Ceni – Women’s Office for Peace: ceni_frauen@gmx.de

Sign the appeal for Kurdish women!

The patriarchal mentality of the complicity of the AKP-DAESH is the most atrocious figure of “feminicide”

The Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E), the International Representation of Kurdish Women Movement (IRKWM), the Office of Kurdish Women for Peace CENI, the Womens Centre UTAMARA, the International Free Women’s Foundation (IFWF), Roj Women, the Hêlîn Foundation as well as the local women’s councils condemn the execution of Kevser Eltruk (Ekin VAN), who was a YJA STAR Kurdish fighter, killed by torture by Turkish soldiers and exposed naked in public in an inhumane manner in the very middle of the town of Varto in Kurdistan, Turkey. The shame and dishonour of this event will go down in history. Continue reading “Joint appeal from Kurdish Women’s Movement calls for signatures” →

Conflict resolution

EUTCC calls for renewed focus on peace talks after election

The EUTCC has released a statement following the election:

8 June, 2015

Press release: for immediate release 

HDP – THE WINNER OF THE 7 JUNE ELECTION IN TURKEY

The Turkish people have spoken in an honest and democratic election, so it is now time to implement what they want. All parties must compromise and take some major steps to solve the KURDISH problem in Turkey among others by resuming the peace process between the government and the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Continue reading “EUTCC calls for renewed focus on peace talks after election” →

Conflict resolution

Over a hundred supporters of the HDP sign international appeal

Over 100 prominent politicians, writers, academics, lawyers and activists signed open letter in support of HDP in Turkey’s coming elections on 7 June

HDP-LogoLater this week, people in Turkey will vote in a general election whose outcome will determine the future direction and nature of the country for perhaps generations. The increasingly authoritarian approach of Erdogan’s presidency and the political dominance of his AKP will either be further endorsed or brought to a halt.

The HDP is seen as offering the greatest hope for a shift towards a more democratic, inclusive alternative. The HDP stands for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish problem in Turkey, as well as democratisation, inclusiveness and openness that are attracting strong support from communities well beyond the party’s core base of supporters among the Kurds and the left.

In response to the coming election on June 7, over one hundred respected politicians, writers, academics, human rights activists, journalists and lawyers from around the world have supported an appeal in the form of an open letter calling for support for the HDP and for the world’s media to pay attention to this crucial election. Continue reading “Over a hundred supporters of the HDP sign international appeal” →

Kurdish community

The Battle for Turkey’s Presidency


Frontline Club event on 25 July 2014

It is just over a year since protests to save Istanbul’s Gezi Park escalated after being met by an uncompromising stance from the government and a police crackdown. What started as an environmental movement became a wider protest against the perceived increased authoritarianism of the country’s leader.

As the protests continue and with the country due to vote in the first round of the presidential elections in early August, we will be bringing together a panel to gauge the political climate. With accusations of cronyism and mass corruption inside the government, we will explore what the protestors are fighting for and how much support they have across the country.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faced large-scale criticism following his reaction to the industrial disaster that killed over 300 miners. We will be asking how much support he still maintains in the country and if he is to contest and win the election what does this mean for Turkey?

Chaired by Murat Nisancioglu, the head of Turkish Service at BBC Global News.

Continue reading “The Battle for Turkey’s Presidency” →

Conflict resolution, Peace process

Initial Observations from Election Monitors

PRESS RELEASE 31 March 2014

 

We have observed the elections in Istanbul and would like to put on record our concerns about reports of numerous abuses and irregularities that were reported to us on election day at various polling stations.

 

How the HDP did in the elections

 

In Istanbul where we were observing the election, the BDP was standing as part of the HDP, an alliance of progressive social movements and individuals who had united to form the new party in October last year. The candidates for the Beyoglu district of Istanbul were an architect who had been leading opposition to urban redevelopment and the sister of a victim of the Roboski massacre.

 

We demonstrated solidarity with the HDP by joining a team of party members distributing leaflets in the street in the busy shopping district near Taksim.

 

Continue reading “Initial Observations from Election Monitors” →