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Nobel Peace Prize Winners, Writers and Prominent Human Rights Advocates Support the Third ... |
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Nobel Peace Prize Winners, Writers and Prominent Human Rights Advocates Support the Third International Conference on EU, Turkey and the Kurds Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Bianca Jagger, Harold Pinter, Mehmed Uzun and Professor Noam Chomsky, lend their support to the Third International Conference on EU, Turkey and the Kurds, to be held at the European Parliament in Brussels on 16-17 October. The conference will provide a democratic platform for discussion on the critical role the EU should play in establishing the parameters of peaceful dialogue with all the stakeholders in the resolution of the Kurdish issue. It will also bring together non-governmental organisations, members of the European Parliament, Turkish, Kurdish and European politicians, academics and writers. Coming just weeks after the release of a comprehensive report and resolution of the European Parliament and ahead of the release of the European Commission’s regular report amid their increasingly firm language in regardshuman and minority rights, the conference promises lively debate and discussion. The conference’s findings will be published and presented to the European Commission and thus presents an opportunity for NGOs and individuals with regional expertise to highlight to decision makers the successes and
failures of the Turkish Government’s reforms. About the EUTCC In November 2004 the Rafto Foundation, Kurdish Human Rights Project and Medico International hosted the first conference on EU Turkey and the Kurds in the European Parliament. As an outcome of this historic event, these organisations and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales established a standing Civic Commission, the EU-Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC). Due to the vibrancy of the dialogue of the 2004 conference, a second EUTCC conference was held in September 2005. The EUTCC is in favour of Turkish EU membership because the EU route remains the greatest hope for securing a civilised, democratic and pluralist Turkey in which a negotiated political solution to the Kurdish question is realised, but only if progress towards membership is based on tangible improvements in the protection of human rights and freedoms and the tackling of the plight of the Kurds is firmly integrated into accession negotiations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Kariane Westrheim, Chair of the Board of Directors, EUTCC, Tel: +47 555 88 797
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Jon Rud, Secretary General, EUTCC, Tel: +34.965846645
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Kerim Yildiz , Treasurer, EUTCC, Tel: +44 (0) 207 405 3835
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Hege Ekeland, Project Assistant, EUTCC, Tel: +47 93 22 17 36
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Peace remains illusory for Kurds |
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On International Peace Day, the Kurdish Human Rights Project calls for recognition of, and an international commitment to, the basic human rights of all people living in the Kurdish regions. Every person has the right to live in security, without fear of persecution, torture, death or other punishment. However today, Kurds face systematic and serious assaults on their fundamental human rights on a daily basis with governments of the Kurdish regions and denying them peace in their multi-ethnic nation-states: Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. Regimes to which Kurds are subject have sought to counter perceived threats to their territorial integrity by forcibly destroying Kurdish identity. This is in addition to horrific violence carried out by armed opposition groups, bent on perpetuating the cycle of violence.
In the last week, the following acts of violence and miscarriages of justice have taken place in the Kurdish regions:
Across the Kurdish regions women continue to be trafficked, killed in the name of honour and suffer female genital mutilation.
In Turkey - A bomb detonated in Diyarbakir by ultranationalists targeting civilians in retaliation for bomb blasts claimed by an armed Kurdish separatist movement. This has resulted in a security crackdown including limited freedom of movement and unlimited search privileges for the region’s police force. In addition, 405 military officers accused of responsibility for the rape and torture of a young woman were acquitted, despite overwhelming evidence of guilt; In Iraq – A state of emergency has been declared in Kirkuk after a wave of bombings in which 26 were killed; the violence plaguing the rest of the country threatens to engulf the Kurdish north. In Iran - Human Rights Defenders are being harassed, threatened with arbitrary detention, and are suffering torture and inhuman treatment; In Syria - Thousands of Kurds cannot vote or own property They are being denied access even basic rights, such as healthcare and housing. In the past week the international community has ignored the following responsibilities: It has made no visible move to support the path to peace in the Kurdish regions and counter moves towards violence and continued repression. It has not insisted, nor used available incentives to persuade, repressive governments to fully adhere to internationally agreed upon standards of human rights. Nor has it supported all states’ efforts to redress past wrongs and unequivocally speak out against violence wherever it originates. By failing to recognise the link between violations wrought against Kurds in all regions and the overarching problem of the failure of states’ to comply with international human rights norms and legislation, the international community is refusing to fully appreciate the wider context and origins of the conflict. Instead it consistently reacts with a myopic view, treating each incident, or each country, as an isolated event and separate from each other. Today, KHRP calls on the international community to take a real stand for peace by addressing the roots and scope of this conflict. As part of humanity, we are duty-bound to fulfil our obligations to these oft-neglected people by applying pressure and naming the violations and their causes. Peace comes through active dialogue, not passive response. On this international day of peace, join KHRP in renewing your commitment to peace in the Kurdish regions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Kurdish Human Rights Project
11 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DH
Tel: 020 7405 3835
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www.khrp.org
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Kurdish Human Rights Project launches Sigrid Rausing International Fellowship |
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This month, the Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) is inaugurating its new International Fellowship Programme with the Sigrid Rausing Fellowship. This fellowship is designated for an exceptional female advocate from Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria, or countries of the former Soviet Union with a significant Kurdish population, who has shown interest in working with international human rights mechanisms. Bringing the advocate to work in KHRP's London Headquarters for 4-6 months, the Programme facilitates an exchange of legal and professional expertise while promoting cultural understanding between advocates within the regions and internationally. The fellowship reflects KHRP's deep commitment to fostering sustainability and enhancing the development of a genuine civil society, empowering local advocates to bring about lasting change in the human rights climate across the Kurdish Regions.
The Sigrid Rausing Fellowship is granted to candidates with a commitment to the principle of Universal Human Rights as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights and the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons in the Kurdish regions, irrespective of race, religion, sex, political persuasion, sexual orientation or other belief or opinion. Successful candidates work with KHRP's extensive Legal Team on live cases to the European Court of Human Rights and complaints to UN and other international human rights mechanisms.
Please visit: http://www.khrp.org/employ/fellowships.htm
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact Anna Irvin, Administrator/Rachel Bernu, Deputy Director at
Kurdish Human Rights Project, 11 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DH
Tel: 020 7405 3835
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www.khrp.org
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Turkey failing to eradicate torture and ill-treatment |
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Despite taking steps towards establishing the infrastructure necessary to remedy the prevalence of torture and ill-treatment within its territory, the Turkish state continues to fall short of conforming to internationally recognised standards. With the prospect of EU membership looming, state rhetoric has taken an increasingly firm stance against torture while simultaneously making great strides to combat torture through legislation. However, regrettably, the culture of ‘might is right' remains pervasive in the justice system. Despite positive legal reforms it remains unclear whether these are but cosmetic changes. Consistent implementation and further reforms are imperative in order to engender a culture of respect for the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, reverse the perception of citizens as weak and state agents as invulnerable and to address state agents' intransigent stance towards bringing perpetrators within their ranks to justice. Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) is releasing this briefing paper which draws together the latest research on the status of torture and ill-treatment to express grave concern that far from abating, in some areas, instances of torture and ill-treatment in Turkey have worsened in 2005-06. KHRP, ‘Torture in Turkey : The Current Status of Torture and Ill-treatment' is available to download at http://www.khrp.org/publish/p2006/06M.htm
Or from +44 (0) 20 7405 3835 or email
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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Kerim Yildiz, Executive Director/Rachel Bernu, Deputy Director at: Kurdish Human Rights Project, 11 Guilford Street , London , WC1N 1DH Tel: 020 7405 3835
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www.khrp.org |
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