DocumentsDate added

Turkish Attacks on Kurdistan, Iraq 2007/8: Background, Motives and Human Rights Impact

Since late October 2007, Turkey has been carrying out cross-border military operations, bombardments and air-raids in Kurdistan, Iraq. Turkey has attempted to justify these operations under the pretext of its ongoing fight against the PKK.

This latest KHRP Briefing Paper discusses these developments, demonstrating how the attacks should be understood in the broader context of Turkey’s long-standing strategic goals in countering regional Kurdish autonomy, goals it shares with Iran and Syria. The paper refers to recent KHRP research in the region showing that Turkey’s operations have been in gross violation of the Geneva conventions, causing extensive harm to civilian life and property in parts of northern Iraq with little actual impact on the capabilities of the PKK. The paper also discusses the international reaction to the attacks, and calls upon the US, EU and all other parties with an interest in maintaining stability in the region to condemn the attacks and urge Turkey to pursue constructive and non-military measures to secure peace in the region.

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The Ilisu Dam Project: A Flawed Plan is Revived Unchanged

The Ilisu Dam Project: A Flawed Plan is Revived Unchanged. KHRP Briefing Paper, May 2007

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Swiss Bank Backs out of Ilisu Dam Project: KHRP Public Statement

Swiss Bank Backs out of Ilisu Dam Project: KHRP Public Statement

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The Ilisu Dam: Downstream Water Impacts and Iraq

KHRP and Corner House release Fact-Finding Mission on the Downstream Impact of the Ilisu Dam on Iraq (pdf): The Ilisu Dam: Downstream Water Impacts and Iraq

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Briefing Paper on the Upcoming Elections in Turkey

Briefing Paper on the Upcoming Elections in Turkey

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Increase in Suicide Amongst Kurdish Women: Presentation to the European Parliament

KHRP Makes Presentation to European Parliament on its recent report on Suicide amongst Kurdish Women

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DRAFT of KHRP Briefing Paper on Nationalism and Secularism in Turkey

Preliminary Draft of KHRP Briefing Paper on Nationalism and Secularism in Turkey

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Turkey’s Anti-Terror Laws: Threatening the Protection of Human Rights

This briefing paper explores Turkish anti-terror legislation in the wake of amendments in 2006 that brought into effect a series of draconian provisions which fail to meet the country’s human rights obligations under international law and which have in practice been used to violate the human rights of it citizens. In particular, the new law fails to respect international human rights obligations by containing a definition of terrorism which is too wide and vague, by increasing the range of crimes that can count as terrorist offences, and by posing a serious threat to the freedoms of expression and association, the right to a fair trial, and the prohibition of torture. Such legislation only serves to further the deterioration seen in the human rights situation in Turkey since 2005 and should therefore be amended.

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Protecting Politicians or Protecting Democracy? Parliamentary Immunity and Party Closure in Turkey

The formation of a Democratic Society Party (DTP) group in parliament following the July 2007 general elections in Turkey gave a pro-Kurdish party representation in the country’s parliament for the first time in 14 years. Since then, prosecutors have filed a number of requests to have the parliamentary immunity of DTP MPs lifted in order to pave the way for legal proceedings against them, and have instigated proceedings to have the party shut down. In March this year, a closure case was also opened against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). KHRP’s latest briefing paper explores the mechanisms available in Turkey for the lifting of parliamentary immunity and the shutting down of political parties, and the ways in which these mechanisms have been employed in the relentless pursuit of parties and politicians by unelected agents.

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Speech; The Role of Kurdish Women in Dialogue, Conflict Resolution and the Struggle for Human Rights

Speech delivered by KHRP Deputy Director Rachel Bernu at a seminar entitled 'the role of Kurdish women in dialogue, conflict resolution and reconstruction' at Garden Court Chambers, 24/05/2008 

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