Author: EutccAdmin

PR: Anti-Kurdish Policy from Turkey to Europe

EutccAdmin

After the local elections on 31 March – the AKP suffered significant losses – which this gave hope for political change. Several European politicians already saw the end of the era under President Erdoğan.

But the sad fact is that only three weeks later, Turkey intensified its attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in violation of international law, this happened shortly before Turkish President Erdoğan’s visit there and in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and in parallel to German President Steinmeier’s visit to Turkey.

At the same time, the studios of the Kurdish TV stations Medya Haber and Sterk in Belgium were searched, while nine Kurdish journalists were arrested in Turkey. These attacks on press freedom are unacceptable. The Kurdish media landscape has played a key role in ensuring that opposition voices from Turkey were heard in the local elections.

Belgium has not yet drawn any conclusions from the attacks by Turkish fascists on Kurds in connection with the Newroz celebrations in March, which would be urgently needed.

We call on the European Union member states not to support Turkey’s anti-Kurdish policy. Freedom of the press and international law are universal values that must be protected and defended.

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

Instagram: @EUTCC1

Newsletter March 2024

EutccAdmin

Our statement: Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair

In addition to identifying violations of the principle of free and fair elections in accordance with the Protocol 1, Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, it is important to draw consequences from violations. European institutions, especially the Council of Europe, need to be more proactive here.

http://eutcc.net/?p=1665

Memorandum by the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights Dunja Mijatovic

Turkey reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society. 

https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/t%C3%BCrkiye-reverse-a-critically-hostile-environment-for-freedom-of-expression-and-for-journalists-human-rights-defenders-and-civil-society

Report by UN Syria Commission of Inquiry

Turkish aerial attacks on power plants deprived nearly one million people of water & electricity for weeks, in violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians were also killed. Such attacks may amount to war crimes.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/03/un-commission-inquiry-syria-too-desperately-needs-ceasefire

Report by the US Department of Defense

A recent report issued by the US Department of Defense indicates that the terrorist ISIS group persists in utilizing Turkey for the transfer of funds and to facilitate support for its regional and global activities.

Pentagon report says ISIS taps Turkey for cash transfers to support global ops

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

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Press Statement 01.04.2024

EutccAdmin
Turkey has voted against AKP & Erdoğan 
Turkey has voted. The people have decided against the AKP and its nationalist-Islamist allies. The CHP was able to extend its lead in numerous metropolises and claim new metropolitan areas for itself. In the Kurdish regions, the DEM party has reclaimed the trustees-lead municipalities and won new ones. Against the backdrop of 46,000 imported voters and massive repression, this is a remarkable success that clearly demonstrates the role the region plays in the country’s democratic transformation.
The role of the DEM Party with regard to gender equality must also be emphasised in this context. The party ran nationwide with co-candidates. In Batman – the city was considered a stronghold of the Islamist Hüda-Par – candidate Gülistan Sönük achieved a nationwide metropolitan record with 64.48%.
A democratic transformation process can be initiated only if the causality between the democratisation of the country / region and a political solution to the Kurdish question is seen. The CHP should seize this opportunity.
But Europe also has a role to play. The Council of Europe must draw conclusions from the irregularities in the elections. It is also important that the success of the CHP and DEM party is recognised equally. If the focus is increasingly placed on the CHP and the Kurdish cause is ignored, democracy will remain wishful thinking.
The European Union must increase the pressure on Erdoğan. The only way out is to return to the negotiating table with the Kurds. This also requires an immediate end to the incommunicado detention of Abdullah Öcalan. The European institutions also have a responsibility here.
EU Turkey Civic Commission
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

Press Statement 13.03.2024

EutccAdmin

Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair

On March 31, local elections will be held in Turkey.

The local elections are currently making headlines due to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that the upcoming local elections would be his last ever. This is not very credible, especially as the deputy AKP chairman and former justice minister Bekir Bozdağ stated that he could technically run one more time if the parliament called for an early election.

Irrespective of this, irregularities can already be observed in the run-up to the elections. DEM Party filed an objection to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) regarding civilian, military, and police voters who were irregularly moved to Kurdish cities before the local elections – without success. According to the DEM Party, a total of 54,600 military, police and civilian voters moved in 33 regions. Opposition members are arrested almost daily, candidates from the DEM party in particular. According to Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) member Necdet İpekyüz, since the start of the election calendar, Turkish state television TRT News allocated 1,945 minutes to the ruling AKP, and 25 minutes to the main opposition CHP. While the DEM Party was allocated 0 minutes, 27 minutes of content was against the pro-Kurdish party.

Both against the background of experiences from previous elections – PACE reported a lack of judicial review of decisions made by the Supreme Election Council, the misuse of administrative resources and state media by incumbents, and instances of intimidation and harassment targeting opposition parties and candidates in presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2023 – and in the context of the political atmosphere, which is characterised by massive repression and an expansive, belligerent foreign policy, it is clear that the elections are neither free nor fair.

Europe must closely follow the elections. It is important that members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe travel to Turkey from 29 March to 2 April 2024. There are also other observer delegations that can be joined.

In addition to identifying violations of the principle of free and fair elections in accordance with the Protocol 1, Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, it is important to draw consequences from violations. European institutions, especially the Council of Europe, need to be more proactive here.

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

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Newsletter February 2024

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our February newsletter. 

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

EUTCC Chairperson 

Our statement on CPT’s Visit to Turkey 

We call upon the Council of Europe to use all possible mechanisms to end this

lawlessness. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1651

CPT’s Visit to Turkey 

The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons held in high-security prisons. A further focus of the visit was the situation of LGBTI and women prisoners. On the occasion of the visit, the delegation also raised with the relevant authorities certain issues related to the situation of the prisoners currently held at Imralı F-type High-Security Prison, in particular as regards their contact with the outside world. 

https://www.coe.int/en/web/cpt/-/the-council-of-europe-anti-torture-committee-cpt-visits-t%C3%BCrkiye

Report by Human Rights Watch on Abuses and Impunity in Turkish-Occupied Northern Syria 

“To the UN member States: Under the principle of universal jurisdiction and in accordance with national laws, investigate and prosecute those credibly implicated in serious crimes under international law committed in Turkish-occupied northern Syria.” 

https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/02/29/everything-power-weapon/abuses-and-impunity-turkish-occupied-northern-syria

Human Rights Watch’s Middle East Division on Turkey’s Strikes against Northern Syria 

Turkey’s Strikes Wreak Havoc on Northeast Syria – Critical Infrastructure Damaged, Millions Without Access to Essential Services

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/02/09/turkiyes-strikes-wreak-havoc-northeast-syria

DFG February Report 

Announcing its February report, Dicle Fırat Journalists Association pointed out that 42 journalists are still imprisoned and called for “solidarity” for journalists.  

http://mezopotamyaajansi35.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/234788

Kurdish Courses in Turkey 

While thousands of students applied for Kurdish elective courses, only 132 teachers were appointed in 12 years in

http://mezopotamyaajansi35.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/233552 —

EU Turkey Civic Commission

www.eutcc.net

Twitter: @EUTCC1

Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

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