16. BOYCOTT TOURISM IN TURKEY

For sure a lot of people around the world don't know anything about Kurdistan and Kurdish Nation, as well as about the horrible reality in which Kurds have to live every day in North Kurdistan - the part of the Kurdish land which is within official Turkish boarders and under Turkish government control. A lot of people, specially European citizens, choose Turkey as their holiday destination. These people usually are not aware what is really going on up there. All that they know is the natural beauty of Turkish summer resorts and tourists sites. But we, Kurdish People, know that it's not the real face of Turkey. We, Kurdish People, know better than anyone else that brilliant image of Turkish holiday resorts is nothing but the mask which hide the real face of terrorist Turkish state.

If any of those tourists would go to Kurdish area, to such Kurdish cities as Wan (Van), Amed (Diyarbakir), Elih (Batman), Colemerg (Hakkari) - they would have a chance to see the reality, to see the policy of Turkish authorities toward Kurdish People - oppression, persecution, arresting, torturing and killings on everyday bases.

Thousands of tourists have great time on their holiday in Turkey every season - at the same time, not so far from summer resorts, thousands Kurds have hard time to live their every day life under Turkish terror. A lot of Kurds have hard time trying to survive as Kurds under Turkish occupation. A lot of Kurds are losing their lives for being Kurds, while in the neighbourhood the summer party is ongoing.

Would all those tourists still choose Turkey for the holiday if they knew all the truth about Turkey? Would they reach into their pockets and spend money in Turkey if they knew that in fact they are sponsoring Turkish policy of oppression toward Kurds?

How can we make people aware then? Well, one of my idea, which came to my head few weeks ago, was to make a kind of leaflet which would tell about that issue. As a result of that idea I made a project and created a picture, which can be used as a leaflet or as a poster in bigger size. My idea is also to print some copies of that picture and distribute them into people's houses in my city. I would like other people who care about oppressed Kurds to do the same - make copies of the leaflet and distribute them in the area where they live.

Lets all join our effort to make people aware that there a lot of places all over the world to go for holiday, but if they will choose Turkey - their choice will mean more death sentences to Kurds and the money that they will spend on their holiday will be used by Turkish government to oppress and genocide Kurdish Nation.

Do you go for holiday to Turkey? Do you buy Turkish goods? So you have to know that your money means more bloodshed of Kurdish People. Only you can decide where your money will go to. Only you can decide if you want to take part in constant genocide of Kurds in North Kurdistan territory under Turkish control. Ask yourself if you really want to support terrorism of Turkish authority toward Kurds. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

The article published for ekurd.net

http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/12/turkey3637.htm

15. Long March For Freedom

Last weekend of November the group of 6 Kurds who lives in United Kingdom, as a representation of Kurdish Community, decided to march from the city of Leeds to the City of London. By taking this action, we would like to turn the attention of media and public opinion to the incident that took place on 22nd October 2011, when Turkish war planes bombarded the mountain area using illegal chemical weapon, which is forbidden by International Law, and causing the death of 36 Kurds, the members of Kurdistan Workers Party, young brave people, who dedicated their lives to the struggle for Kurdish rights and the dignity of Kurdish people, permanently persecuted and discriminated by the Turkish authorities.

The kind of illegal chemical weapon used by Turkey caused the huge damages of the freedom fighters bodies, that could be hardly recognized by the members of their families. The march from Leeds to London was the expression of our disapproval for breaking the law by Turkey, as well as the expression of our concern about the situation of Kurds in Turkey.

We also would like to point out the fact that our leader Mr Abdulla Ocalan, imprisoned on Imrali Island by Turkish state, has been isolated from the outside world for nearly 4 months, without the chance to see even his lawyers, which we consider as very inhuman. Our delegation marching to London, had two letters to provide to the British Parliament and Mr David Cameron regarding the matter.


This great and meaningful activity was organized and sponsored by Heval Rebwar, Kurdish activists from Leeds and wouldn't be possible without his participation. We named this action - "Long March For Freedom".

We started our march on early morning, on Saturday, 26th November and e were walking on local roads for 4 days, from town to town, where we were greeted by the representatives of Kurdish communities. We carried Kurdish flags with us and we talked to a number of people on our way, explaining them in brief the situation of Kurds in Turkish state. Our march ended in the center of London, where we participated in a demonstration in front of 10 Downing street on Tuesday afternoon, 29th November.

Kurdistan - our country that does not exists on the world's map, but exists on the map of our hearts - needs to be noticed by the International Community and not be ignored any longer. We, the People of Kurdistan, the members of Kurdish Nation, are doing our best to make the world to hear our voice - the voice of stateless and oppressed.

We cherish the deep hope that our action was noticed and will caused the involvement of the Western World in Kurdish Question.

14. The letter to President of European Parliament

Dear Mister President,
Maybe my letter will never reach you. Maybe – even if it will – you will never read it. But I wouldn't be myself, if I wouldn't try.

Since I started my struggle for Kurdish Nation rights, many times I was doing things, that seemed hopeless at the first stage. But even if I don't get any result, I know that at least I tried my best. Maybe my letter should be more official, like other letter, which I use to write to some institutions and nobles, as Secretary General of UN or US President, but I decided that this letter will not be like that, cos I want to speak to not only as to politician, but also – and maybe first of all – as to a human. As to someone who originates from the country and nation, that experienced partition, occupation and oppression from the enemies' regimes. So listen to me as a human and try to help us as a politician.

I decided to write that letter, because I read in internet that you appealed to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to stop its armed struggle. When I read that I started to wonder what was your motives to make a statement like that. I was wondering if you had no other choice , but “to dance as Turkish music plays” or maybe you are not aware what is really going on the territory commonly known as Turkey.

Kurdistan – the country that doesn't exist on the world's map, but exists on the map of nearly 50 million Kurdish hearts, in which in spite of all the hope for freedom and independence is still burning. Since the time of Sevres Treaty, that deprived Kurdish Nation the chance for the own state, breaking all the promises given three years earlier in Lausanne, since the territory of Kurdistan was torn into pieces and given under four foreign states control (in fact put into slavery) – the suffering of Kurdish Nation started and it continues till today. Kurds, who became a national minorities within the boarders of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey, for many years used to be a subject of brutal policy of that states, which purpose was to destroy Kurds as a nation, deprive them their identity and national culture and in the result – assimilated them completely. Kurdish Nation experienced enormous oppressions, discriminations, humiliations as well as exterminations. However, no matter how hard the authorities of all these states were trying to ruin Kurdish Nation – they never manage to destroy one thing – the deep desire to live in the own, independent country. The desire which is and always will be alive in every Kurdish heart.

Turkish state since the times of dictator Kemal Mustafa Ataturk used to excel in oppressing Kurdish people in many different ways. Any attempts to keep Kurdish identity, practice Kurdish culture and tradition resulted in more persecutions and repressions from Turkish authorities. Anything that was connected with Kurdish Nation and its culture was forbidden and annihilated using all available means and could result with imprisonment. As a Polish by origin for sure you know the story of Polish children in school in town of Wrzesnia during the Partitions of Poland (K.I.B.: Polish children at school in Wrzesnia under Prussian (German) occupation refused to pray in German language in 1901). Now we already passed more than 10 years of XXI century and Kurdish children on the territories controlled by Turkey remain in the same situation as these Polish children more than 100 years ago under Prussian occupation. Till today Kurdish children has no right to use their mother language as well as to have the names in that language. And if these children protest against breaking their law to use their mother language – are arrested and put in Turkish prison, sentenced for many years, accused of being “members of illegal organization”, which means just terrorists. By the way – so called “Anti Terror Law” is the most often tool used by Turkish authorities in their operations against Kurdish people. Anyone who tries to defend Kurdish minority rights – and I would like to remind that this minority calculates about 25 million people – is accused of being terrorist and put in prison for many years.
Let me to share the classic example of that kind. In 1991 the first Kurdish lady was elected to Turkish Parliament. Her name was Leyla Zana. At the time when she took her oath she was dressed in black and had red-yellow-green ribbon in her hair, the colors that symbolize Kurdistan. This ribbon caused the big outrage and objections from the Turkish MPs, who started to shout. Leyla Zana managed to take her oath in that noisy chamber, but according to the Turkish law she committed big crime, when at the end of her oath she added: "I take this oath for the brotherhood between the Turkish people and the Kurdish people.” She said that in her mother language, in Kurdish language. The language that was forbidden. The language, that according to Turkish law was an act of terrorism. Leyla Zana was sentenced for 12 years and spent 10 years in prison. We can mention hundreds, if not thousands examples like that and all these used to take place in some tens of recent years only.

In that situation Kurdish people has no other choice, but to struggle for their rights. Struggle also with the weapon. PKK – Kurdistan Workers Party is not the reason of problems between Turkish authorities and Kurdish minority – PKK is the result of these problems. The members of PKK are not terrorists, as Turkey is trying to claim to convince the world. Freedom fighters from Kurdistan Workers Party are fighting for the basic rights of Kurdish minority, including the right to live, that is also broken by Turkey. They are fighting for freedom of their nation and they are ready to sacrifice their lives for that. But they are fighting with Turkish regime, not with civilians, as Turkey claims. Targeting civilians doesn't bring any benefits for them – in contrary, acting like that would be in fact acting against themselves. It is the policy of Turkish authorities, directed to Kurdish civilians, including women and children, that should be considered as the act of terrorism. Turkish propaganda, that resembles the Goebbels one, makes the oppressed and their defenders to be labelled as criminals. No idea why the world considers this propaganda as a fact and all which Turkey is trying to create – as a reality. But the truth is that the reality is totally different.

At the same time, when Turkish PM Recep T. Erdogan condemns Syrian dictator B.Assad, Turkish agents carry on the coordinated action on Kurdish territory in order to arrest politicians, intellectuals, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders and activists of Kurdish origin. At the same day, while his visit in UK, Erdogan “apologizes” for Dersim massacre, his war planes drop the bombs on Kurdistan Autonomous Region, which – let me to remind – is still within the borders of sovereign state, Iraq – that is not in a war with Turkey. These bombs injure and kill Kurdish civilians and their livestock. So answer to yourself honestly – wouldn't you call it the act of terrorism? Well, Turks in their unlimited insolence call it “fighting with terrorism”. But its really hard to say what Kurdish family of seven with little kids, that was torn into pieces by Turkish bomb, has to do with terrorism. What 20 years old Kurdish shepherd, seriously injured in Turkish bombardment has to do with terrorism. And for sure it would be hard to find out what tens of his sheep killed by Turks have to do with terrorism. It is Turkey, that targeting Kurdish civilians, also outside Turkish boarders – not PKK.

Let me to quote the line from Polish National Anthem:

“What the alien force has taken from us,
We shall retrieve with a sabre (sword).”

Would you call “retrieve with a sabre” what alien force taken from Polish - terrorism? I am sure not. So would you agree with me that retrieve with a nowadays “sabre”, what was taken from Kurds by force is not terrorism as well?

You appealed to PKK to do the same as ETA in Spain did. But these are two completely different realities. Did ETA act to protect their nation against genocide and cultural genocide? Can we compare in any way the PKK struggle for freedom, dignity and nation rights with the separatist requires of the group of people, who want to show their ethnic distinctiveness? PKK and ETA are two different realities, struggling for different goals.

Turkey – as a member of NATO is consider to be an “alley”, a political and economic partner for the western world. But everyone seems to turn blind eye on the fact that NATO member, that should act within the international law – in fact is breaking that law. Turkey – as one of the signatories of Chemical Weapon Convenction, breaks this treaty rules and 22nd October 2011 used the forbidden chemical weapon, which resulted in murder of 36 Kurdish partisans, freedom fighters of PKK, whose bodies after that could hardly be recognized by the members of their families. The western world seems also not to notice the fact that behind the brilliant developing economy, the happy smiles of the tourists going for holiday to Turkey, behind the empty slogans of MP Erdogan – there are hundreds, thousand human tragedies. Turkey is not a partner. Turkey is potential and real danger for the civilized world. Turkey should be stopped and it should be done right now, before it will be too late. Before Turkey - following the nazi German example – will express the desire to conquer the world and turkify it.

The state which is responsible for hundreds of thousands lost lives, which is responsible for the massacre of Kurdish and Greek people and the genocide of Armenian Christians, which in front of the world is breaking the law, which in the XXI century is trying to slave few million nation, which mutilates the death bodies of Kurdish freedom fighters – can not be treated as a partner for the civilized world.

Do you know what was the number of people who lost their lives in last earthquake in Kurdish city Wan? So are you aware that most of these people weren't in fact killed by the seismic quakes, but by the brutal anti-Kurdish policy of Turkish state? People in Wan were dying under the debris because during the first, critical hours and days after the earthquake the help didn't reach them. This help didn't reach them on time not because there was no help, but because it was effectively block by Turkish state. For sure you know that Polish rescue team was refused to come to Wan with the help, as well as the rescue teams from many other countries.

So please reach above the Turkish propaganda. Please reach out to the point where Turkish propaganda is finished and the reality begins. And please look at that reality, but first of all – please spot this reality. The brutal reality in which nearly 25 millions Kurds have to live in, persecuted by the Turkish regime.

Please consider all these facts and please make a new statement – but this time according to your conscience, not to political correctness and Turkish propaganda. This is very important, cos everyday people of Kurdistan are persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and killed by the Turkish state. That's why we have to join our efforts to stop Turkey, as soon as possible, cos every day of delay means new tragedies and new victims.

Since the time I started to struggle for Kurdish Nation rights, a lot of things I decided to do seemed to be hopeless and achieve no result. Would this letter be the same hopeless? Would I achieve no result? Its only up to You.

With respect.

The text was published by ekurd.net: http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/12/turkey3609.htm

13. The letter to US Administration and President and to UN about the using of chemical weapon by Turkya

Dear Lady/Sir,

I would like to call your attention to some unacceptable facts, that took place in Turkey recently, as well as to those still taking place there.

An existing conflict between Turkish state and Kurdish minority, that lives within the boarders of Turkey is well known all over the world. Kurds in Northern Kurdistan, the territory that still remains under Turkish control and is recognized as South - East Turkey, for many years have been facing enormous persecutions and horrible oppressions simply because they are Kurds.

The entire Kurdish population of that territory, estimated to be about 20 million people, has been subjected to assimilation and Turkification . The number of actions have been taken by Turkish state to annihilate Kurdish identity and eliminate any attempt of expressing Kurdish origin, culture, customs...

As a result of that policy toward Kurdish minority, the organization known as PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) emerged in the end of 70s. Since the beginning of its existence, the members of PKK dedicated their lives to the idea of defending Kurdish nation and preserving its culture and identity. Labeled as "terrorist organization" by Turkish state - PKK members and its supporters encounter a great difficulty and persecutions in their every day life from the Turkish authority, such as arrests, imprisonments and even murders.

Considering the fact that any attempt of gaining basic human rights by Kurdish people in a peaceful way was blocked by Turkish state and resulted in more persecutions toward Kurds - the members of PKK had no other choice but to undertake the armed struggle for the rights of Kurdish people. This struggle was directed toward Turkish police and military forces. The war between PKK and Turkish state has been lasted for many years and like in any war caused a number of casualties from both sides. That is a price of every war. But even in a war - if it is carried out by civilized humans, there are some rules and these rules are regulated by the law.

Unfortunately Turkish state appears to act out of these rules and against the law.

As it is widely known, chemical weapon is illegal and its use is an act of crime.

On 22nd October 2011 Turkish state broke the international law and killed Kurdish freedom fighters, the guerillas of PKK, with the chemical weapon and napalm bombs. This criminal act should not only be condemned, but also taken to a justice as something which is absolutely unacceptable in XXI century in a civilized world.

Even if Turkish state insists to label Kurdish freedom fighters of PKK as "terrorists" and their activity as "acts of terrorism", as a crime - the PKK members still have an unalienable human right to be taken to court, have a fair trial and defend themselves. Instead of that, in most cases, PKK freedom fighters who were captured by Turkish forces, used to be murdered straight away and their death bodies very often were subjected to inhuman mutilation.

Turkey as a member of NATO is supposed to act according to rules and international law. The use of illegal chemical weapon by the member of NATO is equal with the fact that NATO broke the law and committed the crime against humanity. Something like that should not and cannot be accepted any longer by the international community - even if Turkey is considered to be Western countries "alley".

The members of NATO should stand for the safety of the world. This safety is at serious risk and is affected by illegal, criminal acts committed by Turkish state.

That's why Turkey must be stopped right now! Otherwise the world may face the day, when a state considered as "alley" will turn into deadly danger for anyone, whom Turkey will decide to label as "terrorists". We cannot feel safe if any area can be attacked at any time by Turkish state, claiming "the war with terrorism", as they doing with Kurdish people and what in fact is nothing, but a genocide under the banner of "fighting terrorism". It must be stopped now. International community and Western World cannot be silent any longer, when human rights and law is being broken and the values of humanity disrespected.

Please, stop Turkey right now!

With respect and with deep hope that justice still exists in this world.

The text was published by ekurd.net: http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/11/turkey3545.htm

12. The letter to UN about Kurdish Flag

Dear Sir/Lady,

Whoever had a chance to visit South Kurdistan, which is widely known as Kurdistan Autonomous Region (or KRG), for sure had to notice the colourful flag waving all over the territory. This flag is the symbol of Kurdistan – the country of Kurdish people, of the world's biggest nation, which is still stateless, as the result Lousanne Treaty in 1923, when all the hopes for the own country promised 3 years before in Sevres Treaty were destroyed and the territory of Kurdistan were divided into pieces and given under four other countries control. Moreover – once given under such an occupation, Kurds were subjected to unbelievable oppressions and persecutions as the consequence of savage policy toward Kurdish nation.
Despite the fact that all hopes of Kurds to have our own country were destroyed – Kurdish identity and all other elements that constitute Kurdayati (Kurdishness), as language, culture, customs, life style, still endure. Among these, one thing was not destroyed – the great desire for independence in every Kurdish heart.

After many years of oppression and heroic struggle to retain the existence of Kurdish nation and Kurdish culture, one part of Kurdish land finally gained autonomy and the right to self-determination. This part, called by Kurdish people Bashuri Kurdistan (South Kurdistan), once being freed from Iraqi dominance, established its own authority – the President, the Government, the Parliament and the law. As it was mentioned above, Kurdistan Region also have its own unique flag, proudly waving in great number of places all over autonomous territory.

Unfortunately this flag is not officially recognized in the world of politics, as well as by UN. When KRG leader, President M. Barzani (or any other person, who represents KRG) is on official visit to any foreign country, in most cases there is no Kurdistan flag by his side. That may looks like the President of Kurdistan Region visits other country's officials in private and does not represents his country and his nation. Sometimes we can even see the foreign flag by our President side – specially during his visits to one of the states, that keep parts of Kurdistan within their borders and under their control. Such a situation is unacceptable for us, as for Kurdish nation and is seen as disrespect for us as well as for our leader, who represents us.

We have full right to demand our flag to be recognized internationally as a symbol of our nation, even if our country is still not independent. The fact that Kurdistan as an independent country can not be seen on the world's map – does not mean that Kurdish nation does not exists. Our flag not only represents our occupied country, but first of all represents the people, Kurdish nation and its identity.

All over the world there are flags, which are the symbols of not only the countries, but also particular groups of people. Different organizations, political parties or even football clubs have their own flags and they are free to use them to represent themselves. We are a large group of people that constitutes Kurdish nation and we do have our flag, which is our symbol. But our right to use this flag to represent us on international arena is broken. We ask, we demand and we expect the certain steps to be undertake to recognize our flag internationally and establish our right to use this flag.

We hope to get support for that issue as it may help us in our further efforts to gain independence.

11. The letter on Roj TV trial

Few weeks ago we had the internet action, that was held to cover the issue of Roj TV trial. Some activists appealed to all good will people, Kurds and friends of Kurds, to send email expressing one's opinion about the trial in question. I join the action and compose my email, which i sent at the beginning of October. As the trial still continues, I would like to encourage all people to show their concern about it and express their point of view in emails - that are supposed to be sent to: um@um.dk and jm@jm.dk.

Its very important to break the silence and speak up to the world. We all need to make the world to hear our voice. We all need to make the world not only to hear us, but first of all to listen to us. Every single pro Kurdish word is important.
Don't hesitate to express yourself, your opinion, your desires, your point of view and even your dream about Kurdistan. We can't be silent any longer, we have to unify our effort to pay world's attention to our cause. Write to United Nations, to US Administration and President, to Human Rights organization and to any other institutions, that should pay its attention to our problems. The world can't ignore the voice of 40 million people. Every letter, every email that you will decide to send, will bring Kurdistan a step closer to freedom and independence. You don't have to be famous, you don't have to be well known activist to take part in a process which will bring freedom. If you are Kurd or a friend of Kurds - it means you are important enough and you can help.

At the moment we have a lot of problems, that should be noticed by the International Community - we have not only Roj TV trial, but also illegal use of chemical weapon against Kurds by Turkey,

detention and imprisonment of Kurdish activists, politicians, intellectuals by Turkish authority, executions of young Kurdish activists by Iranian government and many others that for sure you are aware of. Express your concern, write the letter to the World, take part in action "The letter for Kurdistan".

Below is the email, that I sent in support of Roj TV. I cherish the deep hope that you will follow this example and join me and others to achieve our goal and to fulfill our dreams - to see independent Kurdistan on the world's map.

On Roj TV Trial,

As a member of Kurdish community I would like to pay your attention to the fact that the current trial of Kurdish TV station - Roj TV is nothing more but the another tool for Turkish State to oppress Kurds and commit cultural genocide against us. If anyone will take a closer look at our case in Turkish State soon must see what is our reality and our situation in there. For many years Kurds in Turkey are the subject of prosecutions, oppression and mistreatment only because of one reason - because of nationality. Kurds in Turkey are denied the basic human rights, like the right to use mother language, the right to express their identity, the freedom of speech and - in many cases also the right to live, as Kurds are being killed on daily bases by Turkish authorities.

Everything which is connected with Kurds and Kurdistan is considered by Turkey to be "terrorism", while the truth is exactly opposite. All the steps and actions that Turkish authorities undertake against Kurds can be easy classified as the acts of terrorism, including imprisonment of Kurdish politicians (and also Kurdish children for political reasons), beating and killing people on the streets while they celebrate their holidays or taking part in peaceful assembly or demonstration, bombarding the territory of sovereign country which is not in a war with Turkey and a lot of others, that among these are the trial of Kurdish TV station.

Turkish policy of calling Kurdish freedom movement for defending human rights of Kurdish people "terrorism" is the mean to justify Turkish campaign against Kurds, which is to result in totally assimilation of Kurds and extermination of every single thing which might be connected with Kurds, Kurdistan, its culture and tradition. The lack of official definition of "terrorism" makes the case more difficult to judge, but even if we look at this term as its commonly understood, we should ask ourselves the question: doesn't it cover Kurdish people's struggle for their right and further the activity of Roj TV in supporting this struggle?

As Bruce Hoffman has noted: "terrorism is a pejorative term. It is a word with intrinsically negative connotations that is generally applied to one's enemies and opponents, or to those with whom one disagrees and would otherwise prefer to ignore. (...) Hence the decision to call someone or label some organization 'terrorist' becomes almost unavoidably subjective, depending largely on whether one sympathizes with or opposes the person/group/cause concerned. If one identifies with the victim of the violence, for example, then the act is terrorism. If, however, one identifies with the perpetrator, the violent act is regarded in a more sympathetic, if not positive (or, at the worst, an ambivalent) light; and it is not terrorism." For this and for political reasons, many news sources (such as Reuters) avoid using this term, opting instead for less accusatory words like "bombers", "militants" (Wikipedia)

We all consider the trial of Roj TV as the support of unfair and illegal action of Turkish authorities against Kurds and as breaking the freedom of media, which is one of the human rights.

Also we all hope that justice will come up and will win over the prejudice and racist attitude toward us, Kurds.

The text was published in ekurd.net: http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/11/turkey3574.htm

10. The meeting on Human Rights in South Kurdistan

Kurdistan used to be a place where Kurds experienced oppression and violation of basic human rights. Till today a huge part of Kurdistan, remaining within other states boarders and under their control, is subjected to a number of case like that. South part of the country - Kurdistan Autonomous Region - although not fully independent, is now a place where Kurds have the right to self determination and are free to practice their culture, speak their language, preserved their identity. But can all Kurds in Kurdistan Region feel safe and enjoy their full rights?

Last Monday, 12 December 2011 - in the week of International Human Rights Day, there was a meeting in Houses of Commons, UK Parliament in London to discuss that important issue. The meeting was organized "Chatri Azadi" ("Freedom Umbrella" - the group of Kurdish activists based in UK), and hosted by British Labour MP John McDonnell, who is supporting Kurdish cause for a long time and who was the main speaker of the meeting. We have the honor to listen to the speeches of two guests, who came all the way from Kurdistan - Mr. Asos Hardi, the journalist from "Awena" newspaper and Mr. Bashdar Ali, journalist and brother of journalist Sardasht Osman, who was murdered last year because of his critical articles on Kurdistan authorities, as well as the speeches of Ms. Houzan Mahmoud, women's right activist and Mr. Mufid Abdulla, the chief of "The Kurdistan Tribune".

The speakers focused mainly on two aspects of human rights in South Kurdistan, that is the freedom of speech, expression and media, and the rights of women. The meeting's purpose was to cover the issue of violation of these rights and searching for the solution to that problem. All speakers agreed that certain human rights are broken in Kurdistan Autonomous Region, cited the reports, which proved that fact as well as the examples from their own experience. The freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom of women are being violating in South Kurdistan and that fact is unacceptable if Kurdistan is to be considered as free and democratic country. Mr. McDonnell concluded that there is no democracy if there is no freedom of press and expression.

We also watched the short video document, showing the examples of human rights violation, including the incidents that took place on 17th February this year, when government forces used the weapon against the demonstrators in Kurdish city Sulaimaniy.

At the end of the meeting Ms. Gona Saeed, who run the meeting, read the Statement of "Freedom Umbrella", thats covers the basic human rights, such as the freedom of expression in public and political life, freedom of demonstrations and peaceful assembles, the equal rights for women in social and public life and the freedom of practicing these rights with no consequences such as beating, torturing or arresting. The public was asked to rise the hands for support of that Statement and huge majority of the meeting participants agreed with the Statement and rise their hands.

We all hope that this meeting as well as any further ones will result in bringing Kurdistan closer to the true democracy and will make it a place where all citizens will feel free to express their opinions and views, and will not be persecuted for that. A place where women will have equal rights in all aspects of public and private life and will not experience the violence against them.



Statement of rights and freedoms of people in Iraqi Kurdistan

Freedom Umbrella is an action group strive to protect the human rights and freedoms of people in Kurdistan. On the Human Rights Day 2011, Freedom Umbrella pronounces the following fundamental freedoms and rights as the “Freedom declaration” to challenge the authorities in Kurdistan that deprives people from their personal and political freedoms and rights. Meanwhile the group will make every effort to gain solidarity and support from UK as well as the International community to protect the following rights:

1. Freedom of thought , expression , writing , publishing and printing are fundamental rights to all people in Iraqi Kurdistan , no one should be subjected to torture, to cruel , inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for exercising these rights.

2. Freedom of political activism, expressing political believes and taking opposition political stands individually or as part of a political organization are fundamental human rights for people in Kurdistan. No one should be subjected to torture, to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment because of their affiliation to a party, political, social or mass associations.

3. Freedom of demonstration, Rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of participation in general strikes are fundamental rights of all individuals. No one should be subjected to torture, to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for exercising these rights. The elimination of the so called current “organizing demonstrations” law.

4. The elimination of any militia and armed forces that are above the law and are found specifically to oppress demonstrations and people’s assembly. Settling political conflicts between political parties with armed forces and weapons should be prohibited.

5. Equal personal, social and political rights for men and women. Equal opportunities in employment, equal pay and equality in family. Subjecting women to any pressure or violence because of exercising their personal freedoms and rights are prohibited. The abolishment of all discriminatory laws that contradicts equality between men and women.

6. Freedom of believe or non-believe of any religion is a basic human right for all individual. Any provocation of violence or interference of religious believes in people’s personal, social and political lives should be prohibited and outlawed.

7. Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty. No one should be arrested for more than 24 hours. Tortures, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in prisons are prohibited. Courts and tribunals should be independent and impartial.

Freedom Umbrella – London 12.12.2011

The article was published in ekurd.net: http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/12/state5682.htm