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Turkey Continues its Brutal Suppression of
Kurds Despite the EU Bid
31.3.2006
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The Kurdish National
Congress of North America
PRESS RELEASE
The recent turn of events in Northern Kurdistan has
great cause for concern. Turkey, a so called
democratic country which is in preparation to become
a full member of the European Union, must offer an
explanation to the public regarding this issue. A
government that is in pursuit of joining an
association of democratic nations such as the
European Union must prove it is worthy. A nation
that refuses to grant its citizens the basic rights
to liberty and life must not become a member of the
EU. The validity of the entire organization must
come into question if such a rogue state is allowed
to take part without overhauling its unjust ways.
Although Kurdish parties have abandoned many of
their demands for the sake of peace and
reconciliation and have been advocating a very
compromising policy criticized by many Kurds, the
Turkish state does not seem to give positive
responses. Reforms and some small steps have been
promised yet the implementation has never been
fulfilled. That is the reason many people believe,
these so called reforms do not have any meaning and
they are only for cosmetic purposes. Unfortunately
the Turkish state with its practice and persistent
denial policies leaves little doubt of the reality
of this view.
Last November, a bomb attack was carried out by
Jitem, the secret service of the Turkish army at a
bookshop in Shemdinli, Hakkari. Despite the fact
that eye witnesses caught those who committed the
terrorist act, the Turkish state not only freed the
terrorists but also started an investigation of the
public prosecutor in charge of solving the crime. In
the same month the Turkish army killed fourteen PKK
members in Mush province of Northern Kurdistan.
Serious allegations have been made indicating that
Kurds were murdered by chemical weapons. This is a
heinous crime against humanity, in violations of the
Geneva accords. This campaign of killing without
impunity is continuing today as evidence by more
killings in February and March of this year.
Turkey has also been pressuring the Danish
government to close down the Kurdish TV channel -
Roj TV. Instead of respecting the language and
culture of over 25 million Kurds and granting their
rights, Turkey is putting pressure on Denmark to
close down their media outlets. The government of
Turkey is also planning to prosecute the Kurdish
mayors who signed a declaration of support for Roj
TV and to arrest those who appeared on programs
aired by the TV station.
During the Kurdish New year (Newroz) celebrations
and demonstrations against the oppressive policy of
Turkey, many people were harshly beaten by the
police and many were arrested in Amed, Wan, Batman,
Siirt, Merdin and a number of other cities.
The Kurdish National Congress of North America
condemns the brutal suppression of recent
demonstrations in the Kurdish cities. Kurdish people
took to the streets in Amed, Wan, Batman, Siirt
Merdin and a number of other cities and demonstrated
against a regime that has used chemical weapons
against innocent civilians and human rights
activists. In Diyarbakir alone, 4 Kurds were killed
and hundreds of people were injured as a result of
police fire which shows the explosive and critical
nature of the situation.
The Turkish regime has continually denied the
existence and basic human rights of Kurds. We
support our Kurdish brothers and sisters in their
peaceful struggle for freedom and democracy.
Demonstrations are part of a democratic and
civilized society. Should Turkey wish to join the
ranks of nations with high standards of democracy,
it has to respect the rights of the Kurdish people
and start a dialogue with all involved Kurdish
parties. Until this occurs, we strongly oppose any
action that brings Turkey closer to a seat in the EU.
We will publicize the horrific crimes the Turkish
regime has, and continues, to commit, until they
cease their brutality against the Kurds.
We also call on all Kurdish parties and
organizations in Northern Kurdistan to form an
alliance in order to be effective in ending the
suffering and bring the struggle of our people to
victory.
Media Contact: Soraya Serajeddini (408) 834-5557
The Kurdish National Congress of North America
P.O. Box 1663, 1975 St. Laurent Blvd P.O. Box 545
Lake Forest, CA 92630 Ottawa, ON Millersville, MD
21108
USA K1G3S7, CANADA USA
Tel/Fax: 949-583-1417 Tel 613-216-1427 Tel:
408-834-5557
www.kncna.org
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