Author: EutccAdmin

PR: Mr Öcalan’s statement: a momentum for peace and democracy

EutccAdmin

Today, a seven-member delegation visited Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the prison island of İmralı. Abdullah Öcalan’s long-awaited message was read out at a press conference in Istanbul. 

This declaration is historic and should be supported accordingly. The future not only of Turkey but of the entire region is at stake. Democratisation of the country and peace in the Middle East are urgently needed. Mr Öcalan has set the course for this. His call to create the appropriate legal and political foundations for the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party is a moment of resolution of the Gordian knot that has tied the Turkish Republic in its first 100 years.

This momentum must be adequately recognised. The European Union and its institutions, in particular the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, should now make every effort to strengthen the process. This includes engagement to ensure that Abdullah Öcalan can freely practice his leadership role in the ongoing political process.

We welcome Mr Öcalan’s historic statement and ensure our full support.

EUTCC Newsletter January 2025

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter. 

Kind regards 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

Chairperson 

Statement by Human Rights Watch

A drone strike by the Türkiye-Syrian National Army (SNA) coalition that hit a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance on January 18, 2025, in northern Syria is an apparent war crime

https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/01/30/northeast-syria-apparent-war-crime-turkiye-backed-forces

Statement by DEM Party’s İmralı delegation on their second meeting with Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan

This process will help everyone, all of us, live together and freely. With the hope that this will be made possible, we look forward to the valuable contributions of all social segments.

https://www.demparti.org.tr/en/to-the-press-and-the-public/20677

Turkey records highest-ever femicide rate in 2024

Turkey’s We Will Stop Femicides Platform reported 394 femicides in 2024, the highest recorded. The group criticized government policies, highlighted rising rates, and called for action on gun control, impunity, and transparency in official femicide data.

https://www.duvarenglish.com/turkey-records-highest-ever-femicide-rate-in-2024-news-65485

BİA Media Monitoring 2024 Annual Report

The BİA Media Monitoring Report reveals that at least 25 journalists and five media outlets were attacked in 2024, while 82 media representatives, mostly from the MHP and affiliated political groups, were threatened in an environment of judicial inaction.

Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). 

https://bianet.org/haber/the-government-made-journalists-lives-a-living-hell-in-2024-303924

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

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EUTCC Newsletter December 2024

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim

Chairperson

Our Press release “Towards a Democratic Syria: Stop Turkey’s Attacks & Involve Kurdish Administration in Political Processes”

In the context of Turkey’s attacks, unequivocal responses and sanctions are needed from the international community, above all a halt to arms deliveries and the suspension of agreements in the context of refugees. The intensification of instability affects the entire region, Islamism is a global threat.

PR:Towards a Democratic Syria: Stop Turkey’s Attacks & Involve Kurdish Administration in Political Processes

Statement by DEM MPs Pervin Buldan & Sırrı Süreyya Önder, on their meeting with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan

This is an era of peace, democracy, and fraternity for Turkey and the region.

https://www.demparti.org.tr/en/to-the-press-and-the-public/20625

Statement by Amnesty International on the crackdown on peaceful dissent

Amnesty International is deeply concerned at the crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Turkey following the reports of a drone strike attack resulting in the killing of Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, two Kurdish journalists from Turkey in north-east Syria on 19 December.

Türkiye: Stop the crackdown on peaceful dissent

Statement by Human Rights Watch: Northeast Syria – Displacement Worsens Aid Crisis

Tens of thousands of civilians seeking safety in Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria are facing dire conditions due to the lack of adequate shelter, water, food, and health care.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/11/northeast-syria-displacement-worsens-aid-crisis

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

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Newyear 2025

EutccAdmin

Happy New Year.

A new year begins. Existing challenges will remain, new ones will emerge. But a new year also means new opportunities.

We must seize this opportunity together for a more peaceful & just world. As EUTCC, we are more committed than ever to peace, democracy & freedom.

PR:Towards a Democratic Syria: Stop Turkey’s Attacks & Involve Kurdish Administration in Political Processes

EutccAdmin

The decades-long rule of the Assad dynasty in Syria is over. The crucial question now is whether it will be possible to achieve a progressive, democratic transformation in Syria as a whole. Numerous factors play a determining role here.

The attacks by Turkey and its ally, the Syrian National Army represent one of the greatest threats. War crimes are committed. Numerous civilians were killed and dozens injured. The attacks are essentially directed against the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria with its democratic and gender-equal understanding of society and politics, which reflects Syria’s diversity. Minbic, in particular, is also in Turkey’s sights. It is precisely this approach that is essential for peace and reconciliation.

The inclusion of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the new political and constitutional discussion is also essential. The Kurdish-led administration should be an important actor in this process.

In the context of Turkey’s attacks, unequivocal responses and sanctions are needed from the international community, above all a halt to arms deliveries and the suspension of agreements in the context of refugees. The intensification of instability affects the entire region, Islamism is a global threat.

The recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is also essential.

Solidarity and humanitarian aid are the imperative of the hour.

It is important that as many people as possible draw attention to the attacks by Turkey and its Islamist proxies and the resulting dangers.

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