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By Peace in Kurdistan Campaign: The President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, relating to her concerns about the deteriorating conditions for lawyers in Turkey who are being criminalised in the course of the undertaking their professional duties….
Hosted by the Law Society: Date: Wednesday, 20 February, 17.30-20.00 Venue: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL This seminar of the Law Society, arranged in conjunction with Human Rights Watch, will bring together international and Turkish lawyers. Speakers include Emma Sinclair Webb, author of the Human Rights Watch report, Professor Francoise Hampson of…
KT News and Comment: The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politburo has set up three committees to deal with the party’s diplomatic ties with Turkey, Iran and Baghdad. Politburo member Ala Talabani told Hawlati that the committees have commenced their work although the PUK founder and Iraq president Jalal Talabani remains absent through his illness…
By Shwan Dizayee: It’s funny how a group of letters, which make up a name, can spark so many memories, stories, tragedies, joy, and change the course of so many lives: some for better, some for worse, some long term and some short. Saddam Hussain The reason for me being here today. All things happen…
By bianet: With the demand to learn about their beloved ones who disappeared in the 1990s, Saturday Mothers/People assembled at Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square for the 412th time on Saturday morning. This week, they commemorated Rıdvan Karakoç was detained by police on February 20, 1995 and found tortured to death on March 2, 1995. Bookmark on…
KT News and Comment: The three opposition parties in the south of Kurdistan have announced that they are not supporting any demonstration on the anniversary of the state killings of demonstrators on 17th February 2011. According to their statement: “They are supporting the civil struggle leading to reform and political change and will not advocate…
KT Comment: The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) 2013 budget was approved yesterday by the Kurdistan parliament. Despite a hard campaign against it in recent weeks by the three opposition parties, the budget was passed by the votes of 61 MPs belonging to the two ruling parties. The opposition argued that the budget is designed to…
KT News and Comment: Iraqi security forces have imposed a curfew on the Azamia district in Baghdad, following a recent demonstration and ensuing violence in the capital. According to eye witnesses, security forces are not allowing anyone to enter the area and this situation is likely to continue until after Friday prayers. Bookmark on Delicious…
By Help Catalonia: Catalonia is one of the oldest European nations. Located in the North-Eastern corner of the Iberian peninsula. It has its own culture, language and traditions. Catalonia fought during centuries against Castile and France to preserve its independence. They were defeated several times but both opponents were stronger after all. Bookmark on Delicious…
By Dr. Aland Mizell: Ankara must overcome its fear of peace and be sincere with the PKK if it wants to end the violence. The peace process between the Turkish government and the PKK in Turkey has been lauded as a great sign of hope, both internationally and within Turkey. Previously hardcore White Turks (“Beyaz…
By Eric Bruneau: The Domiz refugee camp, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, shelters some 50,000 to 60,000 Syrian Kurds who had to flee their country. “The camp is divided into two parts”, we are told. “One is for families and the other for single men.” In this second part, between two rows of tents provided by…
By Human Rights Watch: Government Critics, Journalists Arbitrarily Detained, Prosecuted for Criticizing Authorities (Baghdad) – Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should stop arbitrarily detaining journalists, activists, and political opposition figures, and end its prosecution of journalists for insulting or defaming public figures. The Asayish – the Kurdistan Security Agency – and police arrested without…
KT News and Comment: Once again Turkish fighter jets have crossed the border and bombarded the Kandil valley. Their latest attack has cut electricity supplies to three villages in the area. This offensive action happens at the same time as the Turkish government is in peace negotiations with the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Bookmark…
KT News and Comment: It is another day of mass murder in Iraq. At least 36 people were killed and more than 80 injured in a spate of car bombings in mainly Shia areas. 17 people died in two explosions at the entrance to the Kazimyah market in Baghdad. This was followed by two deadly…
KT News: Ashti Hawrami, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) minister for natural resources, told a press conference in Erbil today that, in defiance of the Iraq central government, the KRG will press ahead with building its own oil export pipeline to Turkey. “We want to have an oil pipeline to ourselves,” announced Hawrami. “It is…
