Author: EutccAdmin

PR: Attacks against CHP disrupt the peace process

EutccAdmin

The wave of arrests against CHP mayors continues unabated. Following the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu more than 100 days ago, the mayors of Adıyaman, Antalya and Adana have now been arrested.

For decades, the waves of arrests in Turkey have focused on Kurdish politicians, particularly in the context of the HDP or DEM party. Mayors detained and dismissed on terror charges have been replaced by Ankara-appointed trustees. Now the CHP is also affected.

The crackdown on the CHP is unacceptable and disturbs the latest developments regarding a political solution to the Kurdish question. Turkey should seize the opportunity opened by Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society. The PKK immediately declared a ceasefire and subsequently decided to disband at its congress. A first laying down of arms is planned for next week.

A political solution to the Kurdish question and democracy in Turkey are directly correlated. While the crackdown on the CHP continues, the state cannot make its position credible in the new process.

Immediate and clear international responses are needed against this anti-democratic policy. The European Union and the European Parliament should use their influence to support the path for peace and democracy. Clear words, but above all the use of political pressure, are essential for a coherent foreign policy of the European Union.

We strongly condemn the repression against the CHP and call on the European Union to act immediately. 

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

EUTCC Newsletter May 2025

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

Chairperson 

Our statement: PKK resolutions: strengthening democratic transformation together 

Peace and a democratic society will have positive regional and global implications that are more necessary than ever. Rapid, strong and clear action is therefore required from all sides, especially European institutions. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=2027

Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s congress declaration

We call on international powers to acknowledge their responsibilities in the century-long genocide policies against our people, not to obstruct a democratic solution, and to contribute constructively to the process.

https://bianet.org/haber/full-text-pkks-statement-on-disbanding-decision-307344

Interview with our chair: PKK’s dissolution “critical opening – not a conclusion”

Prof. Kariane Westrheim says the PKK’s decision to dissolve itself and end its armed struggle should be considered a historic step towards a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey, a “critical opening – not a conclusion”.

Kariane Westrheim: PKK’s dissolution “critical opening – not a conclusion”

Latest MEP report: Turkey’s accession to the EU must remain frozen.

Turkey’s geopolitical and strategic importance cannot make up for the government’s democratic backsliding, and EU membership criteria are not up for negotiation, MEPs say.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250502IPR28215/turkiye-s-eu-accession-process-must-remain-frozen

Open letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa

Statement by 58 human rights organizations, media freedom groups, journalists’ organisations & representatives of the international legal community regarding the assault on the right to political participation, the rule of law and human rights in Turkey

https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/05/16/open-letter-president-european-commission-ursula-von-der-leyen-and-european-council

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

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PR: PKK Resolutions: Strengthening Democratic Transformation Together

EutccAdmin

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) recently published the final resolution of its 12th Congress, which was held from 5-7 May despite continuous Turkish air strikes. Following the call of its founder Abdullah Öcalan, it announced its dissolution and the end of the armed struggle. It had already declared a unilateral ceasefire on 1 March. 

This is the starting point for a political and social transformation and thus for the beginning of a new era.  

Further steps must be taken immediately so that this transformation can succeed. The creation of the appropriate political and legal foundations is essential, as is the freedom of Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The latter is also relevant in the context of implementing the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. 

The PKK’s declaration was welcomed internationally and the importance of the political process was emphasised. In its report on Turkey, the European Parliament also recognised the developments in the context of Mr. Öcalan’s historic appeal. It is now important to exert influence on Turkey in order to strengthen the process. 

The European Union can directly and positively reinforce developments by increasing the pressure to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and constitutional reforms in Turkey and by removing the PKK from its terror list.

Peace and a democratic society will have positive regional and global implications that are more necessary than ever. Rapid, strong and clear action is therefore required from all sides, especially European institutions. 

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

Newsletter April 2025

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter. 

Kind regards 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

Chairperson 

IHD 2024 report: At least 7 thousand 431 rights violations in Kurdish areas 

According to the reports of IHD Diyarbakır Branch, 7 thousand 431 rights violations took place in Kurdistan in 2024 and 117 civilians’ right to life was violated. 

http://www.mezopotamyaajansi43.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/274178

Resolution by PACE on the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul and the state of democracy and human rights in Turkey

Reiterating its previous resolutions on Türkiye, including Resolution 2459 (2022) and Resolution 2518 (2023), the Assembly recalls that Turkey has committed itself to upholding and promoting democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It therefore demands that the authorities implement immediately all these resolutions as well as the recommendations contained in the Venice Commission’s opinions concerning Turkey. 

https://pace.coe.int/en/files/34285/html

Statement by UN experts on PKK’s unilateral ceasefire 

UN experts welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on 1 March 2025, after more than 40 years of conflict with Turkey.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/04/un-experts-welcome-kurdish-workers-party-ceasefire-turkiye-and-urge-just-and

Restrictions on the use of Kurdish 

A new report by Kurdish Monitoring reveals 24 separate incidents of restrictions on the use of Kurdish in public spaces, media, cultural and artistic fields, and prisons during the first quarter of 2025.

https://bianet.org/haber/report-documents-suppression-of-kurdish-in-public-space-306212

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

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Newsletter March 2025

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
EUTCC Chairperson

19th EUTCC Conference – Final Resolution 

The Annual International Conference on the EU, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds was hosted by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the Left Group, the Greens-European Free Alliance (GREENS/EFA) and the Groups of the Free Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) was successfully held on 26th and 27th of March 2025 in the European Parliament in Brussels. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1997

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin has been arrested in Turkey after travelling to Istanbul to report on protests

He is facing charges of insulting the president and membership in a terrorist organisation. Turkish authorities have linked his case to a protest held in Stockholm in January 2023, during which a mock-up of Turkish President Erdoğan was displayed. 

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin arrested in Turkey 

Statement by Reporters Without Borders on the treatment of journalists covering the protests emerged after the arrest of the İstanbul mayor

We condemn in the strongest terms the violent crackdown on media professionals covering the protests in Turkey.

https://bianet.org/haber/rsf-condemns-police-violence-against-journalists-covering-imamoglu-protests-305827

Newroz was celebrated in Diyarbakır with nearly a million people in attendance

Meanwhile, CHP Leader Özgür Özel, PUK Leader Bafel Talabani, KDP Leader Masoud Barzani, and Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani also sent messages for Newroz.

https://www.demparti.org.tr/en/newroz-was-celebrated-in-diyarbakir-amed-with-nearly-a-million-people-in-attendance/21841

Report on the targeting of civilians in NES by Turkey and the SNA

The information RIC has gathered presents a clear picture of intentional targeting of civilians and civil life by Turkey and the SNA, in North-East Syria in the period after the fall of Assad. 

https://rojavainformationcenter.org/2025/03/after-assad-turkey-and-sna-crimes-against-civilians-in-nes/–

EU Turkey Civic Commission

www.eutcc.net

Twitter: @EUTCC1

Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

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