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KHRP Public Statement: Turkish-Iraqi Border Tensions - the Bigger Picture |
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The portrayal of the current crisis on the Turkish-Iraqi border by the media and the Turkish government leaves the major issues informing the conflict in south-east Turkey unaddressed. The reported clashes between Turkish security forces and the PKK in the past week do not comprise an escalation in conflict there, merely an escalation in the rhetoric surrounding such conflict. Clashes have taken place continually in the past number of years, and are caused by an insistence on militarism and violence on both sides. The idea that the PKK is the sole instigator of unrest and violence in the region is mistaken. South-east Turkey is heavily militarised, with many regions remaining in a de-facto state of emergency years after martial law was officially lifted. Basic human rights continue to be violated on a daily basis and there exists an ongoing feeling of mistrust towards the state by many amongst the population. This situation does not lend itself to stability, reconciliation or an end to violence. Both the PKK and the Turkish Security forces are responsible for ongoing militarism in the region and for endangering stability and the lives of those living there. |
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KHRP Mourns Death of Mehmet Uzun |
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 Mehmet Uzun 1953-2007
A prolific writer and linguist of the Kurdish language, Uzun lived in exile in Sweden from 1977, where he led successful literary career. He was the writer of Turkey’s first modern Kurdish novel, Tu (You, 1985) and edited the first anthology of Kurdish literature which included over one hundred writers and poets from across the Kurdish regions. Over the years his work has faced censorship and restrictions in Turkey, but has been lauded internationally and translated into over 20 languages. |
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International NGOs Collaborate on Fact-Finding Mission on Media Freedom in Turkey |
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 In July, KHRP undertook a fact-finding mission to Turkey in conjunction with Article 19, Index on Censorship, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Centre for European Studies at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Its aim was to investigate the current situation with regard to freedom of the media. During the 8-day mission, the delegates visited Istanbul, Diyarbakır and Batman, and met with a cross-section of representatives from broadcasting, print and online media, as well as with state officials, local lawyers and civil society groups. In particular, the mission was interested in finding out about the impact of the harmonisation package introduced as part of the EU-Turkey accession negotiations, especially on Kurdish, socialist and Islamist oriented media (reportedly the main targets of violations due to sensitivities to their discussions of the Kurdish question and/ or their socialist/ Islamist agendas).
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KHRP Welcomes Trekker’s Fundraising Efforts |
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KHRP would like to thank former intern Ann Schutte for her fantastic Pyrenees Hike in Aid of KHRP.
Ann set off on her 800km trans-Pyrenean experience 38 days ago from Bilbao, northern Spain. After weathering 10 thunderstorms and enduring 7 blisters, she has successfully raised over £600 for KHRP.
Commenting on adventure, Ann said: ‘I walked in some incredible scenery and met many people that I would never have had the chance to encounter elsewhere. There is a tremendous amount of camaraderie in the mountains, especially when the weather is bad, so I never felt alone! A highlight for me was making the border crossing into Andorra over a very steep and high pass, despite the forecast of snow (Spain in August!). This achievement was somewhat diminished by the two chaps who did it in trainers, and the man who did it with his son on his back. All three of them Spanish, this gives some explanation of the Spanish sporting world’s domination this summer. A low point was when a cleaning lady at a campsite drenched my rucksack with her hose straight after I had narrowly avoided being caught in a storm. She laughed. I cried.’
Anybody still wishing to contribute to her impressive fundraising efforts can do so by visiting Ann’s JustGiving page today. You can also learn more about her adventure by visiting Ann's Amazing Pyrenees Trek on KHRP’s Facebook event page.
‘Ann, I am delighted to hear of your safe arrival back to English soil and congratulations on your amazing trans-Pyrenean feat’, said KHRP’s Chief Executive, Kerim Yildiz today. ‘Thank you so much. I can assure you that the funds raised will make a real difference in helping to combat the historic discrimination and widespread human rights abuses endured by more than 30 million people living in the Kurdish regions. Our heartfelt thanks go out to you and all those who have generously supported you on your inspiring adventure.’ |
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KHRP carries out first ever ECtHR training in Hakkari, South-East Turkey |
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On 5 May KHRP legal team member Jemima Stratford travelled to Yüksekova, Hakkari in south-east Turkey to deliver a one-day training seminar entitled “How to Bring a Claim before the European Court of Human Rights”. The training followed a request from the Hakkari Bar Association for KHRP to pass on its expertise in European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) litigation to local activists and practitioners. The diverse audience of over 30 was made up of lawyers, members of local government, journalists, trade union representatives and members of non-governmental organisations, including representatives of a women’s rights organisation. The Mayor of Yüksekova kindly arranged the venue for the seminar and welcomed the participants.
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