The Turkish army offensive on the territory of the Kurdistan Regional Government
40 days ago, the Turkish Armed Forces launched another large-scale military offensive against the territory of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) – Iraq. Turkey’s military attacks represent a breach of the country’s sovereignty and can only be described as an occupation of KRG-Iraq. Since the 1990s, there have been repeated cross-border attacks by the Turkish army. In the meantime, Turkey has established 47 military bases in the region.
In the wake of these attacks several villages have been looted and destroyed, leaving behind hundreds of dead civilians, while thousands have fled the catastrophic attacks or have been displaced from their hometowns. Considering Turkey’s aggressive expansionist policy in the region, the interventions in northern Syria must not go unmentioned and unconsidered. With its policy, Turkey is a central factor and actor of instability in the Middle East.
As EUTCC, we strongly condemn this military offensive and occupation, which is contrary to international law.
However, we would especially like to express our disappointment that these military activities of Turkey, which clearly violate international law, are silently accepted by the European institutions. The EU, which is committed to international law, must introduce any sanctions, especially those concerning the military sector and those responsible, and immediately put an end to Turkey’s aggressive war policies in Kurdistan.
Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson Dersim Dağdeviren EUTCC Board member
EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Executive Summary: President Joe Biden recognized atrocities committed against Armenians as the Armenian Genocide in his statement on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (24 April 2021). The statement represents a watershed moment in US-Turkey relations. President Tayyip Erdogan can address US and international concerns prior to the Biden-Erdogan summit on the margin of June’s NATO meeting, or he can double down and intensify repression against Turkey’s ethnic and religious minorities. Erdogan’s course will define international relations prior to the centennial of the founding of the Turkish republic in 2023.
Declaration of solidarity with the HDP and against the criminalisation of Kobani’s resistance The Bureau of the Kurdish Friendship Group in the European Parliament, François Alfonsi (Greens/EFA), Andreas Schieder (S&D), Nikolaj Villumsen (GUE/NGL) and leaders of the European Political Parties: Heinz Bierbaum (President of the Party of the European Left) Evelyne Huytebroeck and Thomas Waitz (Co-chairs of the European Green Party), Lorena Lopez de Lacalle (President of the European Free Alliance) and Sergei Stanishev (leader of the PES – Party of European Socialists) issued a joint declaration.
First hearing of Kobane Trial The first hearing of the “Kobanî trial” started at the Ankara 22nd Heavy Penal Court in Sincan Campus on April 26. There are 108 defendants from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP); while 28 people have been arrested pending trial, there are judicial control measures on six and warrants against 75 people. Facing charges over the “Kobanî protests of October 6-8” in 2014, the politicians face a life sentence aggravated for 38 times each.
PACE urgent debate on the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey PACE calls on the Turkish authorities “to put an end to laws and practices that contravene democratic standards”
CoE Committee of Ministers supervision of the execution of the Court’s judgment in Kavala case The ministers urge the authorities once again to ensure Osman Kavala’s immediate release and affirm their readiness, if necessary, to actively consider all means at their disposal to ensure implementation of the judgment.
Our statement on the occasion of Kobani Trial of 108 people, including arrested HDP former Co-Chairs Figen Yüksekdağ & Selahattin Demirtaş The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) expresses its solidarity and support with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the third-largest party in Turkey’s parliament and a party which, in sharp contrast to the AKP-MHP alliance, represents the core values of humanity: unity across dividers, cultural, religious and gender diversity and which pursues its policies by democratic means. Despite this, the HDP is threatened with closure and extensive arrests of members and parliamentarians. In 2014 HDP called on the international community to join hands in the legitimate protest for Kobane. Now seven years later, 26 April, 108 HDP members stand before trial accused of having encouraged incitement and violence in connection with the party’s call for support for the resistance in Kobane. Everyone who rallies under the flag of civil and political rights, must support HDP’s struggle for a reversal of the political system in Turkey, which has been backsliding into authoritarianism. The EUTCC stands by HDP in this struggle and urges all democratic forces to do the same. The EUTCC also urges the international community and parliamentarians around the world to stand up and call for the release of all political prisoners in Turkey, including Selahattin Demirtas and hundreds of other imprisoned HDP representatives.
Commentaries on EU – Turkey relations
Commentary #1 “You sleep with the devil; you wake up in hell!”: On the new EU-Turkey Deal, by Nikos Christofis http://eutcc.net/?p=610
Commentary #2 Playing politics with the plight of refugees. How the EU went into Erdogan’s political receivership, by Dr. Naif Bezwan and Dr. Janroj Yilmaz Keles http://eutcc.net/?p=610
Commentary #3: Merkel’s positive agenda has collapsed before it started, by Prof. Dr. Cengiz Aktar http://eutcc.net/?p=656
EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
The first hearing of the Kobanê Case will be held on April 26 at Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court. 108 people, 28 of whom are currently behind bars including the former HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksedağ will be tried within the scope of the law suit.
Issued by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the 3,530-page indictment demands aggravated life sentence and hundreds of years in prison for the 108 people on charges of “disturbing the unity of the state and integrity of the country” and “murder” for 37 times. When ISIS attacked the northern Syrian town of Kobane in 2014, there were massive protests in Turkey against the AKP government, as it did not end its support for ISIS. 37 people were killed as a result of attacks by Turkish security forces. The HDP is held responsible for the protests.
Against the backdrop of the ban proceedings against the HDP, solidarity is all the more important.
We call for solidarity with Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on April 26 – By replacing your profile picture with the logo of HDP (see attachment) – By writing the hashtag #SolidarityWithHDP after your profile name
We are looking forward to your participation. Kind regards
Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson Dersim Dağdeviren Board member
EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Merkel’s positive agenda has collapsed before it started Cengiz Aktar*
Executive Summary:
The German Government is desperately trying since years to appease the Turkish dictatorial regime to the expense of Turkish democrats but also EU’s core values. Alas, as always with similar regimes appeasement doesn’t work. Today the more the EU appeases the more Erdoğan abuses.
COMMENTARIES #3_Cengiz Aktar_ Merkel’s positive agenda has collapsed before it started
