NEWS CENTER – The final declaration of the 17th International Kurdish Conference of the EP called for the release of Abdullah Öcalan and the resumption of dialogue with the PKK for a sustainable solution.

 

The 17th International Kurdish Conference held in the European Parliament (EP) has come to an end. The conference, organized by the European Turkey Citizens' Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the Left Group, Greens-European Free Alliance (GREENS/EFA), Free Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the Kurdish Institute in Brussels, resulted in the adoption of the final declaration.

 

CALL TO STOP ATTACKS

 

In the final declaration, it was stated that the conference was held successfully and said: “At the beginning of February, a devastating earthquake shook Turkey, Kurdistan and Syria. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives as entire cities fell into rubble. The violent dimension is not only the result of plate movements, but the result of monistic state policy combined with the greed for profit. The EUTCC conference commemorates earthquake victims. We call on Turkey to immediately stop its attacks on Northern Syria and lift the embargo on humanitarian aid."

 

'INACTION MUST BE MUTUAL'

 

The following statements were included in the declaration, which also referred to the PKK's decision of inaction: “Military inaction called by the PKK due to the earthquake must be mutual. Military inaction and earthquake debris are not only results, but also an opportunity to overcome the 100-year-old monist state mentality of the Turkish Republic and become a democratic republic. In this context, the upcoming elections are a historic option that should be used by the opposition.

 

CALL FOR HDP

 

The EUTCC conference calls on the opposition to unite for democracy and peace and to act together against the banning of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The international community, and in particular the European Union and the Council of Europe, should send clear signals that they will not accept the banning of the second largest opposition party under any circumstances.

 

ISOLATION MUST BE ENDED

 

A long-needed historical necessity is the opening of the gates of Imrali prison, a lawless area that has been the starting point of the greatest human rights abuses. The European Union, the Council of Europe and especially the CPT are called upon to use all mechanisms to end the illegality in Imrali and allow unhindered access to lawyers to the island. The EUTCC Conference is calling for a sustainable solution on the condition that Abdullah Öcalan is released and the dialogue between the Turkish state and the PKK resumes.

 

AUTHORITY MANAGEMENT MUST BE RECOGNIZED

 

This dialogue is also vital for the future of Syria and the Middle East. The Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria, a social contract based on the concept of democratic autonomy, is the only alternative for a pluralistic democratic Middle East. In this way, ethnic and sectarian lines of conflict, war crimes - ecocide, genocide, femicide, violations of international law can be stopped and overcome together. It will be an important step for the international community to recognize the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria. In this context, the EUTCC conference also points to the obligation of states to return prisoners to their countries and to prosecute them. An on-site court is also required.

 

POLITICAL MECHANISMS MUST ACT

 

The destabilizing foreign policy impact of the current Turkish government policy also hinders the development of stability and security in the Iraqi Kurdish Region. The killing of Kurdish politicians, especially women, by drones in both KRI (Basûrê Kurdistan) and AANES (Northern and East Syria) by Turkish drones should be the subject of prosecution. Considering that there are many states that recognize attacks against Ezidis as genocide, the EU should mobilize all its diplomatic and political mechanisms to prevent further attacks by Turkish drones against Ezidis. In any case, Ezidis are experiencing the consequences of the 2014 genocide.

 

THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS MUST BE INVESTIGATED

 

The EUTCC Conference calls on the United Nations, OPCW and the International Criminal Court to deal with the war crimes of Turkey and launch independent investigations. Member states of the OPCW should use the options set out in their regulations to investigate Turkey's allegations of chemical weapons use. The international community, especially the European Union, calls on Turkey to fully defend international law and to impose sanctions for violations.

 

PKK SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF 'TERROR'

 

The European Union and Europe are responsible in the context of the Treaty of Lausanne signed 100 years ago. The EUTCC conference calls on the European Union and European institutions and states to take all measures to prevent anti-Kurdish war on European soil. December 23, 2022 Paris assassinations must be solved. An important contribution of the European Union to the Kurdish community in Europe and above all to the political solution of the Kurdish problem will be the removal of the PKK from the terrorist list.