PEACE IN KURDISTAN
WOMEN’S ALLIANCE
FOR KURDISTAN, IRAQ AND SYRIA
Dear Leyla
We send you solidarity, greetings and respect from Women Alliance for Kurdistan, Iraq and Syria.
We have been following the news of your hunger strike almost daily and we want to assure you that we are standing with you in your resistance and will do our utmost to support you and to spread the message that the cruel isolation of Abdullah Ocalan and the persecution of the Kurdish people must end.
Your dignified and strong response to the actions of the Turkish State is inspirational and is gaining increasing support in the U.K. It is starting to be talked about on the national news and in the British Parliament as well as amongst ordinary people who care about creating a better world and peace in Kurdistan.
The isolation of Öcalan is contrary to Turkey’s own constitution and to international human rights law. His ideas have inspired women and men across the Middle East to struggle for a life rooted in grassroots , multi-ethnic, gender-equal, secular democracy. Because of the respect in which he is held by millions of people across Europe, Kurds and non-Kurds alike, he is key to a peaceful settlement of the decades old conflict in Turkey. As you have said: “The isolation of Öcalan is a barrier on the way to peace.”
United we will overcome. We salute you and wish you peace and strength.
Solidarity,
Victoria Bridges Film-maker UK
Sarah Glynn Academic Scotland
Wendy Lyon Lawyer Ireland
Maryam Ashrafi Photographer Paris
Gita Sahgal Director Centre for Secular Space
Jane Miller Professor Emeritus, UCL Institute of Education
Kariane Westrheim Professor University of Bergen, Norway
Chair of EUTCC
Julie Ward MEP
Jean Lambert MEP
Margaret Owen Director Widows for Peace through Democracy
Sadia Hameed Spokesperson Council of Ex Muslims of Britain
Roza Salih Scotland
Emily Apple The Canary
Claud Fullwood The Canary
Frea Lockley The Canary
Eliza Egret The Canary
Margaret Gallacher UNISON Scotland
Patricia Ziad Artist
Jocelyn Watson Writer
Stephanie Grant Activist
Isabel Kaiser PHD SOAS
Joy Hall Academic
Sarah Parker Activist
Ruth Webster Learning and Development Manager
Tamsin Larby Writer
Estella Schmid Peace in Kurdistan
Melanie Gingell Peace in Kurdistan
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: estella24@tiscali.co.uk
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com
44 Ainger Road, London NW3 3AT
Contacts Estella Schmid 020 7586 5892 & Melanie Gingell – Tel: 020 7272 7890
Patrons: Lord Rea, Lord Dholakia, Baroness Sarah Ludford, Jill Evans MEP, Jean Lambert MEP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Hywel Williams MP, Kate Osamor MP, Elfyn Llwyd, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, John Austin, Christine Blower, NUT International Secretary, Simon Dubbins. UNITE International Director Bruce Kent, Gareth Peirce, Julie Christie, Noam Chomsky, John Berger, Edward Albee, Margaret Owen OBE, Prof Mary Davis, Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Mark Thomas, Nick Hildyard, Stephen Smellie, Derek Wall, Melanie Gingell
Peace in Kurdistan 