News

News

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 Mayors detained and dismissed on terror charges have been replaced by Ankara-appointed trustees.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. 

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

PR: PKK Resolutions: Strengthening Democratic Transformation Together

EutccAdmin

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) recently published the final resolution of its 12th Congress, which was held from 5-7 May despite continuous Turkish air strikes. Following the call of its founder Abdullah Öcalan, it announced its dissolution and the end of the armed struggle. It had already declared a unilateral ceasefire on 1 March. 

This is the starting point for a political and social transformation and thus for the beginning of a new era.  

Further steps must be taken immediately so that this transformation can succeed. The creation of the appropriate political and legal foundations is essential, as is the freedom of Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The latter is also relevant in the context of implementing the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. 

The PKK’s declaration was welcomed internationally and the importance of the political process was emphasised. In its report on Turkey, the European Parliament also recognised the developments in the context of Mr. Öcalan’s historic appeal. It is now important to exert influence on Turkey in order to strengthen the process. 

The European Union can directly and positively reinforce developments by increasing the pressure to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and constitutional reforms in Turkey and by removing the PKK from its terror list.

Peace and a democratic society will have positive regional and global implications that are more necessary than ever. Rapid, strong and clear action is therefore required from all sides, especially European institutions. 

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

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.

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.

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