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Statement on the repression of the Kurdish population in Turkey
http://www.syriauk.org/2016/03/statement-on-repression-of-kurdish.html
We the undersigned are deeply concerned at the deterioration of
relations between the Turkish government and Turkey’s Kurdish
communities, and call for the ending of all repressive measures against
the Kurdish population, and the lifting of all sieges imposed on Kurdish
areas.
We are motivated to make this statement by the same principles that
drive our unconditional support for the democratic struggle against the
Assad regime and its allies, which we identify as first and foremost
responsible for the grave humanitarian crisis that the Syrian people
have been plunged into and which has resulted in close to half a million
deaths. We support the right of all people to a life of dignity, free
from state repression, and their right to democratically govern their
societies and communities. This includes the right to celebrate their
diverse cultures and the rights to national self-determination. We
uphold these principles and champion their universal extension without
condition.
Even as we recognise that Turkey has been a far truer friend to Syrians
than the Western powers have been, opening its borders to two and a half
million refugees fleeing Assad’s repression, we also recognise that any
restrictions on democratic rights in Turkey will negatively impact on
those Syrian refugees who have sought refuge there. Moreover, we fear
that the EU, in its efforts to persuade Turkey to contain the refugees
and prevent them from crossing to Europe, will overlook the human rights
abuses committed by the Turkish state.
On principle, we call for the lifting of all sieges in all ongoing
conflicts. Using food as a weapon is a war crime.
In the spirit of the non-sectarian, democratic struggles that sparked
the Arab Spring revolutions and whose supporters continue to resist
repression in Syria and Egypt, we call on President Erdogan to end the
indefinite state of curfew in Sirnak, as well as and to reopen the
political process for reaching a settlement with the Kurdish citizens of
Turkey.
Moreover, we firmly declare our solidarity with the democratic civil
society groups seeking a political solution to the struggle for Kurdish
self-determination in the region. We are alarmed that the Turkish State
is engaging in repression of these groups, such as the Kurdish-Turkish
HDP parliamentary party, the students delivering much needed
humanitarian aid to the Kurdish regions of northern Syria, and the
Turkish academics who have spoken out against the repression. We fear
any further escalation of fighting or repression will close down the
democratic space needed for dialogue, and for non-violent political
actors to organise, further polarising the situation and rendering it
intractable.
Syria Solidarity UK
To add your signature to the statement, please email i...@syriauk.org
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