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, Kurdish community

Seminar Notice: The long road to peace and reconciliation in Turkey

SOAS Kurdish Society in association with Peace in Kurdistan Campaign

The long road to peace and reconciliation in Turkey: Opportunities for genuine dialogue between Ankara and the Kurds  

Seminar on Saturday, 16 November 4-6pm

SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H OXG, Room L67, Main Building

Speakers: Judge Essa Moosa, International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, South Africa

Akif Wan, Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) UK Representative

Chair: Birgul Yilmaz, PhD Candidate in Linguistics & Teaching Fellow, SOAS, Faculty of Languages and Cultures

The key speaker at this seminar will be Judge Essa Moosa, a distinguished human rights advocate from South Africa, who is making a brief visit to London and will bring his considerable experience of involvement in the successful anti-apartheid struggle to contribute towards a peaceful democratic resolution of the Kurdish question, in this case in Turkey. Mr Moosa will discuss his work with the new International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative, established a year ago in response to a call from Archbishop Desmond Tutu for the Turkish government to begin negotiations with the Kurdish movement.

Continue reading “Seminar Notice: The long road to peace and reconciliation in Turkey” →

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, Peace process

EUTCC acknowledge Turkey for resuming talks with PKK

The following press statement has been issued by the EU Turkey Civic Commission:

5 January, 2013

The EUTCC positively notes the encouraging developments between the Turkish state and the PKK leader Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. The renewal of talks between the parties and a genuine will from both sides to seek a peaceful solution to the problems can pave the road to peace and a democratic solution to the Kurdish problem in Turkey along the lines first adumbrated by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and the recent International Peace Initiative. The renewal of these long-awaited talks will benefit all parties involved including Turkey and are to be encouraged. In light of these positive developments we urge the French government to immediately release Mr. Adem Uzun a leading Kurdish representative who was involved in the previous Oslo process. The further imprisonment of Mr. Uzun is meaningless in light of the positive developments currently taking place on Imrali.
Continue reading “EUTCC acknowledge Turkey for resuming talks with PKK” →

Conflict resolution, Kurdish community, Peace process

New international initiative calls for peace talks

A new initiative was launched at a press conference on Monday with a call for the reopening of dialogue between the Turkish government and the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. The call, made by Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu, has the support of a number of world leaders.

The International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative  was launched with statements from South African Judge Essa Moosa and Ngodup Dorjee, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the joint call was signed by such prominent dignitaries as former President of the USA Jimmy Carter and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams. The joint appeal can be read in full below.

The IPRI will work towards finding a lasting and durable peace in Turkey through a process of dialogue and negotiations between the Turkish government and Abdullah Ocalan representing the Kurdish people. Its main objective is to facilitate a lasting peaceful solution to the Kurdish question by providing an international forum to highlight key issues in the Kurdish question and inform policy makers and the public of development on this issue. Continue reading “New international initiative calls for peace talks” →

Conflict resolution, Peace process

International Peace Initiative to be launched in Brussels

INTERNATIONAL PEACE INITIATIVE  (IPI)

PRESS CONFERENCE

Monday 3rd December , 10h30,  International Press Centre, Maelbeek Room

Résidence Palace, Rue de la Loi n.155, 1040 Brussels  (B)

Launch of the International Peace Initiative and call from  Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for the Resumption of Dialogue on the Kurdish question in  Turkey
The  Secretariat of the IPI invites you attend a press  conference to launch The International  Peace Initiative on Monday  3rd December 2012 @10h30 at the Residence Palace in  Brussels.

This  initiative is launched with the support of Archbishop  Emeritus Desmond Tutu. To mark the occasion, he and a list of eminent  signatories including Nobel Peace Prize recipients and former heads of state  and of government from the United States, Europe and Asia, including East  Timor and Tibet, have issued a joint call for a Resumption of Dialogue  between Turkey and the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, for a  lasting and peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue in Turkey. This statement  will be read out and distributed at the press  conference. Continue reading “International Peace Initiative to be launched in Brussels” →