Author: EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Our statement: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility

The Kurdistan Freedom Movement held a press conference today in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and announced the withdrawal of its armed forces from Turkey. As EUTCC, we welcome this historic step by the Kurdish freedom movement. We call on Turkey to fulfil its legal and political obligations and urge the European Union and European institutions to actively support the process.

PR: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility

Press conference by DEM Party Co-Chairs regarding the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkey

Tülay Hatimoğulları: Let history not judge us for failing to build peace when we had the chance

Tuncer Bakırhan: It is now time to move toward social peace through legal and political steps

Interview with Human Rights Association Co-Chair Eren Keskin regarding the PKK’s withdrawal

This is a very clear expression of the will for peace, it is very important. It is the state itself that needs to take a step.

Bianet male violence monitoring report October 2025

Men killed at least 22 women and three children in October. 79 women were subjected to violence.

BİA Media Monitoring 3rd Quarterly Report:

Media freedom in Turkey continues to suffer as the politicized judiciary extends arbitrary detentions and judicial control measures, using them as tools of intimidation instead of ending operations targeting journalists.

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EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

The Kurdistan Freedom Movement held a press conference today in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and announced the withdrawal of its armed forces from Turkey. Following Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call on 27 February 2025, the PKK immediately declared a ceasefire and announced its dissolution at its 12th party congress. 

As early as 1999, the PKK had withdrawn its forces from within Turkey’s borders, following Öcalan’s call. However, the Kurdish side’s efforts to achieve peace remained unanswered. 

Turkey must immediately establish the legal and political framework conditions necessary for the transformation into a sustainable peace process and democratic participation.  

The democratisation of Turkey is crucial for stability and peace throughout the region. Just a few days ago, with the votes of the AKP, MHP and Iyi Parti, the parliament extended the mandate for military missions in Syria and Iraq. 

The European Union and its institutions also have a role to play here. All political levers must be used to ensure that Turkey implements these measures immediately. The right to hope is one of the central issues here. After all, Abdullah Öcalan is a key figure, and his freedom is crucial to the process. The Venice Commission must provide support in monitoring the legal proceedings. 

Another lever that the European Union should use is the EU terror list. Removing the PKK from this list would not only send a positive signal for the dialogue process, but would also have positive implications for Kurds and communities from Turkey living in Europe. 

As EUTCC, we welcome this historic step by the Kurdish freedom movement. We call on Turkey to fulfil its legal and political obligations and urge the European Union and European institutions to actively support the process. 

—
EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards
Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Interim Resolution of the CoE’s Committee of Ministers on Turkey in the context of the Hope to Right
The Committee of Ministers expressed deep regret that the legislative or other adequate measures required to align Turkish law with the requirements of the Convention as spelled out in these judgments have not been adopted; exhorted the authorities to take the necessary measures without further delay.

Discrimination against the Kurdish language
Amedspor, a football club based in Diyarbakır, has been fined by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for displaying a Kurdish-language message (“Koma me bona we” – “Our group is for you”) on its team jersey. Amedspor criticized the decision as discriminatory, announcing plans to challenge it in court.

Statement by the Commission members of the DEM Party
Listening to Abdullah Öcalan by the commission should be considered as a necessity for the permanent solution of the problem.

Record number of websites blocked in Turkey in 2024
Turkey blocked access to over 311,000 web addresses last year, marking the highest annual total since the country began regulating internet content in 2007, according to a new report by the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD).

—
EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards
Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Our statement: Attacks against CHP disrupt the peace process
The crackdown on the CHP is unacceptable and disturbs the latest developments regarding a political solution to the Kurdish question.
We strongly condemn the repression against the CHP and call on the European Union to act immediately.

PR: Attacks against CHP disrupt the peace process

88 Nobel Laureates signed a letter demanding freedom for Abdullah Öcalan
Mr. Öcalan’s call follows in spirit of fraternity and peace as Alfred Nobel emphasized so strongly. As Nobel Laureates, we recognize and support this initiative. In the context of resumed peace negotiations, and as the legitimate political representative and leader of the Kurdish people, Mr. Öcalan must be free and allowed to participate fully in the peace process he initiated, and thus to communicate freely with his lawyers, his party, and all actors in this process.

Statement by the “Peace and Democratic Society Group” led by KCK Co-Chair Bese Hozat during PKK’s disarmament ceremony
We voluntarily destroy our weapons, before your presence, as a step of goodwill and determination. We call on regional and global forces responsible for the sufferings of our people, to respect the utmost legitimate democratic and national rights of our people and support the process of ‘Peace and Democratic Society’.

Video call by Abdullah Öcalan before the PKK’s disarmament ceremony
As to the future stages, I call on you to embark on putting into practice the resolutions of the [12th] Congress, in line with the views and suggestions of this last letter, and to ensure successful progress.

—
EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1