NEWS
1. Turkish Minister Makes Economic Case for Peace With Kurds
2. Osteoporosis of Turkish economy in 10 years of AKP governments
3. In letter to chief, PKK announces two worries
4. Wise People Meeting: “We Are Just Starting”
5. Erdogan’s ‘wise’ step to help Kurd peace talks
6. BDP delegation returns to Ankara
7. Roboski: A part of the peace process in Turkey
8. Ireland ready to help Turkey-Kurds peace
9. MAZLUMDER released violation rights report
10. Anatolia news agency to start broadcasting in Kurdish in September
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Turkish Professor Unmasks Turkey’s Criminal Secrets, Outlines the Eight Phases of the Armenian Genocide
Originally published in USA Armenian Life Magazine
14 March 2013
Ankara is fast at work to counter the wave of intra-national and international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. But is it successful?
Recently a damning Turkish documentary surfaced on Youtube.com unmasking the eight phases of the 1915-1923 genocide.
Professor Ugur Ümit Üngör, a lecturer at the Department of History at Utrecht University and at the Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam, revealed the Turkish-documented inner workings of Turkish-masterminded and executed government policies of mass deportations, dispossession, and annihilation against the Armenians then living under Ottoman yoke.
EC publishes 2012 Progress Report on Turkey
The European Commission has published its 2012 progress report on Turkey, the key finding from which you can read a summary of below. It is particularly critical of Turkey’s lack of respect for fundamental rights and there are continued concerns over the unnecessarily broad terrorism laws in the country.
You can download a pdf of the full report here: Turkey Progress Report 2012
Seminar on Syria and the Kurds announced
Kurdish American Education Society-Los Angeles Seminar Announcement:
Democratization in Syria, Perspectives and prospects, Syria and Kurds at the Crossroads of Change
Hosted by the Kurdish American Education Society-LA and co-sponsored by various departments and programs at California State University, Long Beach and Kurdish Community of Southern California
This seminar will provide a forum for those who have an interest in exploring the unfolding developments in Syria as the contending forces in the multi-ethnic and religiously diverse Syria are attempting to reshape the country in its challenging path to democratization. These developments have been both the source of inspiration and uncertainty for Syrians as a whole, ethnic and religious minorities including Kurds, in particular. The program is based on the critical need for understanding the gravity and complexity of the humanitarian and political crisis both regionally and internationally. Our distinguished panelists consisting of academics, human rights activists, researchers, lawyers, journalists, and representatives of the Syrian and Kurdish opposition, will discuss the key issues that Syrians are confronting. Continue reading
Diversion of Tigris river completed, construction of actual dam starting
A new construction phase was celebrated at the Ilisu dam site with a big ceremony last week: The Tigris river has been diverted at the construction site now flowing through three big tunnels. This diversion will be maintained for several years. Now the construction of the actual dam in the dry river bed begins.
Construction of the Ilisu Dam begins
The Turkish Minister of the Environment Veysel Eroglu called the Ilisu dam an “important strategic and economic project”. He stated that the project will be finished in summer 2014. After that it will take one more year to flood the reservoir.
It remains unclear, whether by “strategic” he is addressing the national Turkish-Kurdish conflict or the international consequences (mainly for Iraq). Once the Ilisu dam operates, Iraq will be even more dependent Turkish water policies. The livelihoods of about 6 Million people in Iraq depend on the Tigris river by using the water for irrigation or fishing. By cutting down the water flow, Ilisu will also put an end to the Mesopotamian Marshes, culturally and ecologically one of the most important areas worldwide. Continue reading
“Blasts & killing fail to blow apart Kurdish chance in Syria” – Russia Today
Russia Today brings news about a burgeoning Kurdish civil society in Syria in the midst of continued conflict:
NCB delegation on an official visit to Rome
A delegation from the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria - NCB is on an official visit today (29/02/12) in Rome, Italy. The delegation is headed by Dr. Haytham Manna, who is accompanied by Dr. Ossama Al Taweel, member of the NCB’s Executive Bureau in Exile, and Ghassan Azzam. and .They are to take part in a conference on the subject of the Arab Spring that will be attended by Italian and European Ministers and by significant Arab and international figures.
Hevallo: Now I Understand Why Turkey Fear the Kurds in Rojava Kurdistan (NE Syria) and Are Spreading Lies about PKK/PYD
Syrian Kurds gather in their thousands in Efrin in protest against Assad’s regime.
Syrian Kurdish opposition groups hold public meeting in parliament
PEACE IN KURDISTAN PRESS RELEASE
16 February 2012
Members of Syrian Kurdish opposition groups involved in the struggle against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad gathered on Wednesday at the House of Lords for a public meeting, to discuss the current political and humanitarian crisis in the country, and the role of Kurdish groups in both the ongoing struggle and in a post-Assad future. Continue reading
Turkish Nature Organisation protests at the Topkapi Palace
Protests against the Ilisu Dam project, which would displace thousands of people in the Tigris Valley if it is built, took place outside the Topkapi Palace last week. Below is a statement released by the The Turkish Nature Association Doga Dernegi:
VILLAGERS’ PROTEST AT ISTANBUL’S TOPKAPI PALACE DRAWS ATTENTION TO IMPENDING LOSS OF WORLD HERITAGE IN THEIR HOMETOWN
Planned Ilisu dam will inundate 12,000-year history including the ancient town of Hasankeyf Continue reading
