Author: EutccAdmin

PR: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility

EutccAdmin

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As early as 1999, the PKK had withdrawn its forces from within Turkey’s borders, following Öcalan’s call.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

EUTCC Newsletter September 2025

EutccAdmin

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.

https://search.coe.int/cm?i=09125948802873a4#{%22CoEIdentifier%22:[%2209125948802873a4%22],%22sort%22:[%22CoEValidationDate%20Descending%22]}

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.

https://bianet.org/haber/amedspor-fined-over-kurdish-language-chest-sponsor-tagline-312092

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.

https://mezopotamyaajansi43.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/287830

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).

https://bianet.org/haber/turkey-blocked-record-number-of-web-addresses-in-2024-surpassing-300-000-311114

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

EUTCC Newsletter August 2025

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Constitutional Court rules rights violated in nearly 80,000 cases since 2012

According to data covering the period from Sep 23, 2012, to Jun 30, 2025, a total of 686,484 individual applications were submitted to the court. The court ruled that “at least one right was violated” in 79,565 cases. 

https://bianet.org/haber/constitutional-court-rules-rights-violated-in-nearly-80-000-cases-since-2012-310072

Statement by the DEM Party İmralı Delegation after the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan

Democratic society, peace and integration are three key concepts of process.

https://www.mezopotamyaajansi43.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/285592

Male violence monitoring report August 

Men killed at least 23 women and seven girls in August. At least 76 women were subjected to violence.  

https://bianet.org/haber/men-killed-23-women-in-august-311107

Report from the Association for Combating Child Abuse and Neglect

The report highlights a significant rise in recorded child sexual abuse cases in Turkey, while drawing attention to the persistent underreporting of incest.

https://bianet.org/haber/report-highlights-rise-in-child-abuse-cases-in-turkey-underlines-secrecy-around-incest-310836–

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

EUTCC Newsletter July 2025

EutccAdmin

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.

https://mezopotamyaajansi43.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/282782

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’.

https://mezopotamyaajansi43.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/281471

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.

https://anfenglishmobile.com/features/abdullah-Ocalan-s-historic-call-80196

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

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