Conflict resolution

IPRI releases comprehensive report into status of peace process

The International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative (IPRI) has released a report from its fact-finding mission into the peace process in Turkey. You can read the executive summary below. The full report is also available for download.

A press conference with the authors, Judge Essa Moosa, Francis Wurtz and Osman Kavala, was also held in the European Parliament for the release of this report. You can watch the press conference here.

REPORT OF THE FACT – FINDING MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND RECONCILIATION INITIATIVE (IPRI) ON THE PEACE PROCESS RELATING TO THE KURDISH QUESTION IN TURKEY

Executive summary

The primary motivation for the formation of the International Peace and R econciliation Initiative (IPRI) has been to advance the peace process in Turkey as a corollary to the scope of a broader peace in the whole of the Middle East. IPRI was launched in December 2012 in response to an international call made by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for the resumption of talks between the Turkish government and the imprisoned leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, for the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish Question in Turkey. Continue reading “IPRI releases comprehensive report into status of peace process” →

Conflict resolution

International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative to hold press conference

The International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, established in December 2012 with a call for a restart to peace talks in Turkey, will hold a press conference next week in the European Parliament. They will report back on a fact-finding mission relating to the peace process in Turkey:

Results and report of the fact-finding mission of the International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative (IPRI) on the peace process relating to the Kurdish Question in Turkey

Thursday 11th December, 14h00, EP press room, BXL

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond TUTU, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Honorary Elder (founding member and chair of the Elders 2007-13); a veteran anti-apartheid activist and peace campaigner widely regarded as ‘South Africa’s moral conscience’, South Africa Continue reading “International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative to hold press conference” →

Conflict resolution, Peace process

Archbishop Tutu wins Templeton Prize

Peace in Kurdistan campaign was delighted to hear that Archbishop Desmond Tutu was recently awarded the Templeton Prize, which is offered yearly to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to our vision of human purpose and spirituality.

We wrote to Archbishop Tutu to congratulate him on the award, and to  express our appreciation for his outspoken commitment to the cause for Kurdish justice over the years, for example through his participation in the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC), and his recent support for the International Peace Initiative, which was launched last December with a call from the Archbishop for peace talks to resume.

You can read the letter we wrote to him here. You can also view some videos by Archbishop Tutu on winning the Templeton prize.

Continue reading “Archbishop Tutu wins Templeton Prize” →

Conflict resolution, Peace process, Political prisoners

International Peace Initiative Welcomes News of Negotiations between the Turkish State and Abdullah Öcalan

PRESS RELEASE

Issued: 9th January 2013

For Immediate Release

 

The International Peace Initiative welcomes the positives steps that have been recently taken by the Turkish State to resume talks with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, in the wake of a joint call in December, led by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and supported by other leading international figures, for a Resumption of Dialogue between Turkey and Öcalan, for a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.

Continue reading “International Peace Initiative Welcomes News of Negotiations between the Turkish State and Abdullah Öcalan” →

Conflict resolution

EUTCC patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Next week, the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) will bring together a variety of greatly respected Kurdish representatives, writers, and members of parliament for a two-day conference entitled The Quest for Democracy in Turkey: Universal Rights and Kurdish Self-Determination and the Struggles over the New Constitution. Peace in Kurdistan Campaign is very pleased be involved in the event.

As a stark reminder of the obstacles that face the Kurdish people and those working in solidarity with the movement, we reproduce below a statement the Kurdish Human Rights Action Group (KHRAG) from South Africa, written in August last year, describing what happened when a PiK/KHRAG delegation attempted to deliver a letter by one of the patrons of the EUTCC, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, to the Turkish Embassy in London. The letter requested that Erdogan opt for a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict in Turkey, but, despite prior arrangement with the Embassy, the delegation was refused entry and were not permitted to deliver the letter. Continue reading “EUTCC patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu” →