Conflict resolution

DTK delegation reports from visit to Rojava and Kurdistan

Selma Irmak and several other DTK delegates visited towns and cities across the effected regions of South Kurdistan and Rojava in August following the massacre of Yezidi Kurds in Sinjar by ISIS mercenaries. They produced the following report, which is also available for download.

 

DTK DELEGATION

REPORT ON SHENGAL, MAXMUR AND ROJAVA

August 2014

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

SELMA IRMAK (Spokesperson of the Delegation)
GÜLSER YILDIRIM
FAYSAL SARIYILDIZ
AYLA AKAT ATA
MÜLKİYE BİRTANE
İBRAHİM AYHAN
EROL DORA
FIRAT ANLI
GÜLTAN KIŞANAK
FELEKNAS UCA
FEBRUNİYE AKYOL
SABRİ ÖZDEMİR
EMRULLAH CİN
MUSTAFA UYGUNER
SAMİ AKYOL
REPORTERS

ÖZGÜR AMED & VEDAT YILDIZ

 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The smallest part of Kurdistan, known to Kurds as Rojava, has gifted “Rojava Revolution” from Kobanê to all over the world on 19th July 2012. The fate of nearly three million Kurds who have been occupied by the Syrian regime has emerged as an upheaval against nation-state in which very important developments and overwhelming events were experienced, and its status quo cringed everywhere and this upheaval has become a revolution.

Continue reading “DTK delegation reports from visit to Rojava and Kurdistan” →

Freedom of expression, Political prisoners

Clashes in Amed, 14 July

Eleven police forces equipped with gas grenades, water cannons, truncheons and tanks descended onto Amed last Saturday and clashed with Kurdish protesters calling for the release of Abdullah Ocalan.

As Firat News reports:

Police severely attacked the people joining the “Freedom for Öcalan” rally in Diyarbakır on 14 July.

TOMA type vehicles, gas bombs and pressure water was used against the mass in the meeting area. Many people, including dozens of children, three Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies and Mayor Osman Baydemir were reported injured in attacks.

Thousands of people who had gathered at five separate points broke the police barricade around the meeting area where clashes were reported to last for long hours. Continue reading “Clashes in Amed, 14 July” →

Conflict resolution, Freedom of expression, Kurdish language rights, Political prisoners

Brookings Institution to host Demirtas tonight

American-based think tank The Brookings Institution is holding an event this afternoon in Washington DC entitled ‘A Conversation with Turkey’s Kurdish Leadership’. BDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas will be speaking, along with Ahmed Turk of the DTK:

Event Summary

Turkey’s approach to lingering problems in dealing with the Kurdish minority at home and in the region is once again at a critical juncture. From the prospects for a new constitution to Ankara’s Syria dilemma, virtually all the pressing issues facing Turkey have a Kurdish dimension. Most recently, Prime Minister Erdogan declared that his government is ready to engage in a political dialogue with the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in the Turkish Parliament. Given past failures at dialogue and at finding a mutually-acceptable, peaceful, and democratic solution to the problem, will this time prove different? What do the Kurds of Turkey and those of neighboring nations want and is the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) ready to meet Kurdish demands?

We will bring you further information on the outcome of the event when we receive it. Until then, for further information on the event, follow this link.