Author: EutccAdmin

PR: Turkish-controlled ISIS 2.0 military campaign in northern Syria

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our press release Turkish-controlled ISIS 2.0 military campaign in northern Syria.

Kind regards
Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Urgent call for international solidarity 

Turkish-controlled ISIS 2.0 military campaign in northern Syria

In northern Syria, jihadist fighters from the Syrian National Army (SNA) are advancing into the Şehba region. At the same time, the Syrian al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attacks Aleppo. The troops of the Syrian regime were withdrawn almost without a fight. Both structures are orchestrated by Turkey.

Şehba has been a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Kurds (around 150.000) since the occupation of Afrin in 2018. They have to flee again. The Kurdish-majority districts of Aleppo are also surrounded. Christian minorities are affected, too. 

The silence of the international community, with SNA and HTS classified as terrorist organizations, signals that the US has given the green light. 

War crimes and crimes against humanity – which, as experience from the time of ISIS and in Afrin shows, are inevitable – must not be tolerated.

Anyone who wants to avoid new attacks like Brussels, Paris and Batclan must intervene and put Turkey in its place with immediate sanctions. 

In the context of the migration debate, Europe should have an interest in exhausting all possibilities against Turkey in order to prevent new waves of refugees. Suspending the refugee agreement with Turkey and stopping all payments is an unavoidable sanction.

The protection of Christian minorities in particular must also be an incentive for Europe to act. 

Europe defines pluralism and democracy as their main values. It must act accordingly. The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria stands for exactly these values. It is the only democratically organized structure in a region marked by ethnic and confessional connotated as well as international conflict lines. The recognition of the regional administration seems essential in order to prevent an escalation in the region. Humanitarian aid to the DAANES areas is also essential.

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

PR: Continuities of anti-Kurdish politics: again trustees

EutccAdmin

The Interior Ministry has appointed trustees in Mardin, Batman and Urfa’s Halfeti district. It was only on 25 October 2024 that the Kurdish mayor of İstanbul’s Esenyurt district, Turkey’s largest district, was removed from office and imprisoned. Shortly after the local elections, a trustee already been appointed in Hakkari. 

Turkey is carrying out these measures without any consequences. In particular, the European Union and the European institutions, above all the Council of Europe, tolerate this behaviour. The available options for sanctions do not apply in the context of Turkey. 

This is in favour of Turkey’s anti-democratic and anti-Kurdish policy. This is absolutely unacceptable. Unambiguous answers and sanctions are needed in the spirit of democracy, the rule of law and respect for the will of the voters. 

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

Newsletter October 2024

EutccAdmin

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter. 

Kind regards 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

Chairperson 

Our statement: Doves of peace needed instead of hail of bombs

Turkey must immediately stop its attacks in Iraq and Syria, which violate international law. This requires condemnation, clear measures and immediate sanctions from the international community, above all the United Nations and the European Union, against Turkey. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1824

Turkish Airstrikes on Northern Syria 

Update by the Rojava Information Center

Update October 26: Turkish Airstrikes Hit Over 50 Locations in NES

Information note following the fact-finding visit of the Monitoring Committee

Co-rapporteurs: Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC) and Ms Jill Mortimer (United Kingdom, EC/DA)

https://rm.coe.int/as-mon-2024-16-information-note-the-honouring-of-obligations-and-commi/1680b19600

Statement by Human Rights Watch on EU’s migration support to Turkey 

While Turkey is engaged in summary deportations of Syrians and Afghans, the European Union continues to provide funds for migration management to Turkey. The EU should make sure its migration support to Turkey is not used to violate rights.

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

Press Statement

EutccAdmin

Doves of peace needed instead of hail of bombs 

Since the evening of 23 October 2024, Turkey has been bombing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Şengal and northern Syria, also using drones. At least a dozen civilians have been killed and dozens injured. The attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure, including grain silos, a health centre and power plants. 

Turkey is labelling the attacks as anti-terror measures against PKK positions in the context of the attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries, which took place on 23 October in Ankara. 

On the same day, DEM Party MP Ömer Öcalan was allowed to visit Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan after more than three years of total isolation on the prison island of İmralı. Abdullah Öcalan asked him to convey the following message to the public: “The isolation continues. I have the theoretical and practical power to move this process from the basis of conflict and violence to the legal and political basis when the conditions are right.” 

This is exactly where we need to start. The isolation must be ended immediately. The 2014 judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the context of the legal principle of hope must be implemented without any delay, as also demanded by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom is essential so that he can fully play his key role in finding a political solution to the Kurdish question, democratising Turkey and bringing peace to the Middle East. 

Turkey must immediately stop its attacks in Iraq and Syria, which violate international law. This requires condemnation, clear measures and immediate sanctions from the international community, above all the United Nations and the European Union, against Turkey. 

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

Newsletter September 2024

EutccAdmin

Our statement: CoM failed to push Turkey to implement the ECHR judgment 

We urge the Committee of Ministers to put pressure on Turkey to implement the demands – a review mechanism for everyone in the light of the standard set out by the ECHR and the adoption of legislative measures to secure a mechanism with the possibility of release – urgently and to use all available mechanisms for this. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1802

Press conference of layers regarding Mr. Öcalan’s solitary confinement 

More than 1500 lawyers worldwide have sent a letter to the Turkish Justice Ministry regarding the restriction of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s right of access to his llawyers and submitted their application for a meeting with him.

https://barreaubruxelles.be/uploads/documents/Press-Conference-Brussels_16.09.2024_v2-006.pdf

Report by UN Syria Commission of Inquiry 

The United Nations Syria Commission of Inquiry published its new report. It is noted that Turkey continued to target civilian settlements in Northern & Eastern Syria.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iici-syria/report-coi-syria-september2024

World Peace Day

On World Peace Day, let’s keep doing all we can to encourage more peace, democracy and freedom in the world. 

In the context of Turkey, we will continue to work for a political solution to the Kurdish question and a democratisation of the country & thus the region.

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