Freedom of expression, KCK trials, Kurdish community, Kurdish language rights, Political prisoners

2,000 march in support of Kurdish hunger strikers

By Paul Burnham

On Sunday, 11th November, more than 2,000 Kurds marched five miles across North London in solidarity with the Kurdish hunger strikes in Turkish prisons, which have reached their 61st day. The hunger strikes are reaching a critical stage, and some hunger strikers may be near death.

The 680 hunger strikers include elected representatives who have been jailed under the repressive policies of Turkish Prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They are demanding Kurdish language rights, and the end of the isolation in jail of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), to help to negotiate a political settlement to the Kurdish Question. Other Kurds have joined the strike by refusing food in solidarity, including MPs belonging to the pro-Kurdish BDP (peace and democracy) party. Continue reading “2,000 march in support of Kurdish hunger strikers” →

Conflict resolution, Kurdish community, Peace process, Political prisoners

Protest in London to mark anniverary of Ocalan’s kidnapping

PRESS RELEASE ON ANNIVERSARY OF OCALAN’S KIDNAPPING!
8th Oct 2012 Kurdish Federation UK
Contact: Fedbir@gmail.com

Kurdish Federation UK Protest

the venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
date and time: 9th October 2012 at 12 o’clock

Abdullah Ocalan lived amongst the Kurds in Syria for many years having made the political decision to direct the struggle for Kurdish rights from outside of Turkey!

His presence there left a lasting legacy amongst the Kurds in Rojava Kurdistan that is evident for all to see as, today, the Kurds in Rojava liberate themselves from many years of brutal Baathist rule!
Continue reading “Protest in London to mark anniverary of Ocalan’s kidnapping” →

KCK trials, Peace process, Political prisoners

Seminar on Turkey, the Kurdish Struggle and the New Middle East

The significance of the continuing Kurdish struggle for the future of Turkey and the Middle East as well as its implications for politics in Britain were issues on the agenda at the Marxism 2012 conference and festival which took place in central London on 5-9 July.

A seminar, organised by the Peace in Kurdistan Campaign as part of the Marxism 2012 programme on 7th July, brought into focus the plight of Kurdish activists within Turkey and drew attention to the key democratic demands of the Kurdish movement.

Turkey, recognised as a key ally of the West in the reshaping of the Middle East in the aftermath of the “Arab Spring”, was currently stepping up its repression of Kurdish organisations; arrests of political and civil society activists were increasing and draconian legal manoeuvres were being taken against the main pro-Kurdish political party, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in an orchestrated attempt to render it incapable of operating effectively. The resilience of the Kurdish people in the face of decades of savage repression was widely seen as inspirational by participants in the seminar. Continue reading “Seminar on Turkey, the Kurdish Struggle and the New Middle East” →

Education

Kurdish Supplementary School opens in Islington

We are pleased to bring you news that the Kurdish Supplementary School in Islington (KSSI) will start this Sunday.

Please circulate this information to the Kurdish and non-Kurdish parents who might be interested in it . The Kurdish Supplementary School is open to pupils from school age of 5/11 years. KSSI is run by London Kurdish Institute, funded by Cambridge Education @ Islington

KSSI aims to raise attainment levels of pupils in Literacy, Numeracy and Mother Tongue. These courses will be run 3 hours on Sunday, as requested by the parents.  We will teach Mathematics, Kur dish (Kurmanji) and Traditional Kurdish Dance Classes (free of charge).  Mother Tongue will be taught in the way in which children can enjoy it. Children will have fun and learn Kurdish through stories, drawing, painting, carton films, drama, talking and playing. Continue reading “Kurdish Supplementary School opens in Islington” →

KCK trials, Kurdish community, Political prisoners

Event: The KCK prosecutions and resisting Kurdish Politics

Peace Council: Britain along with the Kurdish Studies and Student Organisation are holding a seminar next week, called ‘The KCK prosecutions and resisting Kurdish Politics’.

The panel will focus on the on-going KCK prosecutions in Turkey which have seen the arrest and prosecution of thousands of Kurdish politicians, lawyers, deputies, counsellors, human rights activists, academics, journalists and many more members of civil society organisations. Continue reading “Event: The KCK prosecutions and resisting Kurdish Politics” →

Kurdish community, Political prisoners

Come to Trafalgar Square and show your support for the Kurdish hunger strikers!

Twenty Kurdish activists in London began a hunger strike yesterday, Wednesday 14 March at 8am in Trafalgar Square. The action, organised by Fedbir, the Kurdish Federation UK, will continue until the 17th of March, in parallel with similar actions which have been taking place within Turkey and across Europe.

They need your support! Come down to Trafalgar Square to show solidarity for the hundreds of activists on hunger strike, as well as the thousands of political prisoners in Turkey!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFLDg80TUM]

Organised by Fedbir, Kurdish Federation UK.
For further information, contact:
knklondon@gn.apc.org, 0207 272 4131 or
M Aksoy: 07506 702 697

Kurdish community, Political prisoners

Kurdish political activists begin hunger strike in London

View a statement on the hunger strike by Kurdish Federation UK: London hunger strike activists state their demands

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

12.3.12

Several Kurdish activists in London will begin a five-day hunger strike Wednesday 14 March at 8am, in protest against increasing repression in Turkey. Continue reading “Kurdish political activists begin hunger strike in London” →