Proposed Military Strike on Syria

[John Dolva]

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 2:55 PM

NEWS DESK - ANF

PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) Executive Committee Member Duran Kalkan spoke to Politik Alan (Political Sphere) program on Med Nuçe TV.

Evaluating the results of the recent snap election, Kalkan said November 1 civil fascist coup is a continuation of the 12 September military fascist coup, and aims to restore and sustain the fascist dictatorship brought out by the coup. He underlined that; "They want to hinder the fall of dictatorship and founding of Democratic Republic. November 1 coup was aimed to block the way paved by June 7 election towards a Democratic Republic."

Kalkan recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the current process as "a period of obtaining results" as AKP has taken a step by forming a government. He pointed out that the coming period will witness a final battle between fascism and democracy, and between colonialism and Kurdish freedom.

"There is indeed a great struggle taking place on a final level. The coming winter will witness such a great struggle. Within the scope of the duty and fascist policy of cultural genocide handed over to it, the AKP government will conduct all kinds of attacks for the elimination and annihilation of the Kurdish people and movement. In response, we will resist as a whole, in every single street, house, neighborhood, town, mountain and valley. Youths and women, young and old alike will all resist. The people will resist, guerrilla will resist, our people abroad will resist, and those jailed in prisons will resist."

'WE RESIST WITH THE STANCE OF THE LEADER'

Remarking that the resistance is being led by the Kurdish Leader's stance, Kalkan said Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan himself is in a resisting position, adding; "The Leader is resisting. He has adopted a stance against all these things. He said freedom can be achieved through struggle and adopted a position of struggle. This resistance is sacred and it will triumph. There is no other way to win. I am calling upon all our patriotic people to not listen to those that promise anything other than resistance. Be aware against those that try to drag you into pacifism and surrender."

'TURKEY HAS LEFT KURDISTAN ALONE'

Putting emphasis on the importance of ensuring unity in every inch of Kurdistan, as well as unity with the peoples and democratic forces of Turkey, PKK Executive said Kurdistan has been left alone in its resistance, adding; "When somewhere is targeted by a fascist attack, all the other towns and cities should stand up and support it. Solidarity and support should be raised by revolutionist and democratic circles in Turkish cities, and enhanced further in Adana, Mersin, Antep, Çukurova and İstanbul. Kurdistan and the Kurdish resistance is being left alone, despite the fact that today's Cizre, Gever, Farqin, Nusaybin and Varto are no different from last winter's Kobanê. These towns are the places where the heart of free Kurds and democratic humanity beats."

'AKP HEADS TOWARDS BAKUR AFTER SUFFERING DEFEAT EVERYWHERE'

Citing reports they have received that the AKP has decided to lay siege to Kurdish towns 15 times if considered necessary, Kalkan said; "The enemy is determined, but we are also determined to resist. The AKP government is enemy to Kurds and stands against them. It wants to eliminate and annihilate the Kurds. AKP has been brought to power again and given a task to lead the international conspiracy to success. AKP has been defeated in Kobanê and Shengal already, and it is suffering a defeat in Syria now. After its failure to accomplish in its attacks in other parts of Kurdistan through ISIS, AKP is now heading towards Bakurê (Northern) Kurdistan with all its force. The people of Bakurê Kurdistan who are leading the national revival revolution put up brave resistance that is able to put the AKP in the trash of history, in the same way they have done to many other governments before AKP. We are committed and have the power to do so."

'AKP WANTS TO ACT AS IT WISHES'

Regarding AKP's recent statements rejecting talks with PKK, Qandil, İmralı and HDP, Kalkan criticized this attitude of generating a new interlocutor out of village guards and aghas who are already settled with AKP. He added; "These people are already surrendered to AKP, they have no problems. The only thing that concerns them is how much AKP will pay them. This is why this discourse by AKP cannot be taken serious by our side."

Kalkan said AKP is of the opinion that Qandil [referring to PKK] will grow stronger in the event that talks with Öcalan re-begin, and noted the followings; "It is up to them whether they will talk to İmralı and Qandil or not. Yet, our people should never feel concerned because the very same people will have to hold these talks of necessity when our people and guerrillas resist with success under the leadership of the party."

'HDP IS THE ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC'

Expressing his views on HDP, PKK Executive Kalkan described the party as the essence of a democratic republic and building of a democratic Turkey. "If gets closed, HDP can continue under another name, and as a party that has already revealed the power for the creation of a democratic Turkey and republic. This new power has been generated by the unification of Turkey's democratic forces and Kurdish freedom forces. In the coming months, the struggle for democracy will triumph over the 45-year-old fascism. This power will be the creator of a democratic Turkey, let alone be an interlocutor."

'ERDOĞAN IS DEPENDANT ON ISIS'

Kalkan recalled the fact that Kurdish leader Öcalan has made ceaseless efforts so far to avoid Turkey's ending up in the current situation and surrendering to foreign forces and fascist powers. He added; "Leader Apo pointed to democratization and resolution of the Kurdish question as the way to keep Turkey standing as a country of freedoms. If this had come true, Erdoğan wouldn't have to beg of Europe and America now, and Turkey would become a power guiding the whole humanity. This failure itself proves Leader Apo's righteousness as Erdoğan's policy has brought it to a point of being dependant on ISIS. Turkey's intellectuals, politicians and all those who truly love Turkey must see very well who are the ones that will render Turkey a truly free and democratic country. Leader Apo is the only person to achieve Turkish-Kurdish peace in real terms. The practice of the course anticipated by Leader Apo is the only way to end up in success and create a democratic Turkey, and this requires free conditions of living and working for the Leader."

NEWS DESK – YPG (People’s Defense Units) Press Office has released a statement reporting ongoing attacks by the Turkish army and gang groups.

YPG informed that Al-Nusra gangs attempted to infiltrate into Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo at 22:30 on November 13, after which a clash erupted upon an intervention by Defense Units. 2 gang members were captured dead as a result of the clash.

The statement continued by reporting attacks by ISIS gangs with heavy weaponry, which targeted;,

– YPG positions near Qereqozax bridge between 14.00-15.00 and 18.00-19.00 on November 14,

– Şêxlera Jorîn town between 12.00-15.00, and

– Girê Sor terrain near Sirîn town at 15.00 and between 18.00- 19.00 the same day.

While Defense Units retaliated against the attacks and hit all the targets, the number of casualties on the side of gangs couldn’t be verified.

Separate attacks by ISIS gangs targeted the Qereqozax village to the southwest of Kobanî at 11:00 on 15 November; and the Mirveh village near Sirîn town between 13.00-14.00.

In response to the attacks, Defense Units conducted an offensive against the positions of gang groups in south Jarablus, which left an unverified number of casualties and a military vehicle destroyed.

In the meantime, ISIS gangs conducted a harassment attack against Meraser village to the west of Kobanî’s Sirîn town at 02:30 last night.

On the other hand, Turkish army’s attacks that are aiming at the People’s Defense Units (YPG)’s security positions near Kobanî region borderline since October 24 continue to the time.

According to the YPG statement, the Turkish military conducted an attack near Siftek village on the western borderline of Kobanî Canton between 22:00 and 23:00 on November 13. The attack targeted the people living in this area and left one civilian dead.

Turkish troops also targeted the Zeytuna position to the west of Girê Spî (Tal Abyad) with A-4 heavy weaponry after cutting off electricity at the borderline of Girê Spî between 20:15-21:00 yesterday evening.

US mouthpiece Kerry : ""The entire border of northern Syria -- 75 percent of it -- has now been shut off. And we are entering an operation with the Turks to shut off the other remaining 98 kilometers [61 miles]," he said in an interview with CNN.""

[John Dolva]

YPG: Attacks by the Turkish army and ISIS groups continue

YPG (People's Defense Units) has reported ongoing attacks by ISIS gangs against villages near the Euphrates and by the Turkish army against Girê Spî and Kobanê.

Saturday, November 21, 2015 2:40 PM
NEWS DESK - ANF

YPG (People's Defense Units) has reported ongoing attacks by ISIS gangs against villages near the Euphrates and by the Turkish army against Girê Spî and Kobanê.

According to a written statement by YPG Press Office, a mortar attack launched by ISIS gangs from south Jarablus targeted the Boraz village to the southwest Kobanê at 12:30 on 19 November. Two civilians, including a child, lost their lives and one other was wounded as a result of the terrorist attack.

According to the YPG statement;

ISIS gangs launched a mortar attack against Rahva village in Ayn Îsa town of Kobanê between 13:00-14:00 in the afternoon of 19 November.

YPG forces launched an operation against gang groups deployed in Qereqozax area to the southwest of Kobanê between 09.00 and 10.00 on 19 November, during which one ISIS member was killed.

Gang groups carried out another mortar attack from their positions in south Jarablus, which targeted the Qereqozax village and its surroundings between 07.30-08.00 and 13:00-14:30 of 20 November.

ISIS groups also conducted a mortar attack against Boraz village to the southwest of Kobanê town at 14:00 on 20 November.

PROVOCATIVE ATTACKS BY THE TURKISH ARMY CONTINUE

On the other hand, Turkish army’s attacks that are aiming at the People’s Defense Units’ security positions near Kobanê region borderline since October 24 continue to the time.

YPG Press Office reported that the Turkish troops patrolling at the borderline around Silipqiran village to the west of Girê Spî launched an attack with A4 heavy weaponry on 19 November.

Turkish troops also targeted the Zeytuna position and Tal Findir village to the west of Girê Spî with A4 heavy weaponry at 04:35 of 20 November.

Zeytuna position was once again attacked by the Turkish military with A4 heavy weaponry at 20:30 and 21:30 the same day.

Tal Findir and the wheat silos (sawama) in the village were also hit by Turkish army with A4 heavy weaponry at 21.00 and 22.00 yesterday.

[John Dolva]

TEV-DEM Executive: We have documents of Turkey-ISIS cooperation

"The Turkish state should eventually accept the fact all the peoples of Syria and international powers consider YPG to be the major force fighting ISIS and terrorist forces", said Rojava's TEV-DEM Executive Committee member Ferhad Dêrik.

NEWS DESK - ANF

Sunday, November 22, 2015 11:15 AM

Rojava's TEV-DEM (Movement For A Democratic Society) Executive Committee member Ferhad Dêrik stated that they have documents proving a cooperation between the Turkish state and ISIS gangs.

Speaking to ANHA (Hawar News Agency), TEV-DEM Executive Committee member Ferhad Dêrik made significant evaluations regarding the Turkish state's approach hostile to Rojava and the support it provides to gang groups which have changed into military attacks since 24 October.

TEV-DEM executive pointed out that the Turkish state has been involved in every attack that has targeted West Kurdistan territory from Dêrik to Efrîn since the beginning of the Rojava revolution.

Ferhad Dêrik noted that the people of Rojava now expect a retaliation to the Turkish army's recently increased provocative attacks against their land, adding; “On the excuse of such attacks, Turkey aims to occupy the Rojava land.”

According to theTEV-DEM executive, it was a kind of death for the Turkish state and AKP government whose plans all failed when Girê Spî was cleared of ISIS gangs by YPG and Burkan Al-Fırat forces on 15 June.

Dêrik pointed out that they have documents proving the Turkish state's support to ISIS and the cooperation between the two. He said these documents reveal the facts that Turkey opened all its border crossings for ISIS members; that it provided arms, ammunition and logistic support to them; that gang members were taken to Turkey for treatment; and that it bought oil from the gangs.

"The Turkish state should eventually accept the fact all the peoples of Syria and international powers consider YPG to be the major force fighting ISIS and terrorist forces", said Ferhat Dêrik, noting that the Turkish army's currently ongoing attacks against YPG positions is also an evidence to the Turkish state's support and protection of the gangs.

Urging the Turkish state to give an end to its hostile approach and practices against YPG, Dêrik also put emphasis on the essentiality of the AKP government's ending its support to the gang groups.

TEV DEM Executive Committee member Ferhad Dêrik also called upon all the forces within the international anti-ISIS coalition, France in the first place, to put more pressure on Turkey in order for it to stop supporting gang groups and abandon the hostile policy against Rojava.

[John Dolva]

KCK's Bayık: Turkey downed the Russian plane to protect ISIS

KCK Executive Council Member Cemil Bayık stressed that no consistent fight can be given against ISIS and no results can be obtained from this fight unless a clear attitude is taken against Turkey and the AKP government is brought to account.

Thursday, November 26, 2015 1:00 PM

NEWS DESK - ANF

KCK Executive Council Member Cemil Bayık has written about “consistency in the fight against ISIS” for his column on Yeni Özgür Politika and Azadiya Welat dailies.

The Kurdish article has been translated by ANF English service below.

“It has been seen once again that the Turkish state wants to protect ISIS and Al-Nusra. The Turkish state shot down the Russian plane not due to a violation of airspace, but to hinder Russian airstrikes against the Turkey-backed gang groups. By doing this, Turkey has not only encouraged the gangs to resist, but also intended to make NATO and Russia confront each other through a provocation, hinder a joint action by the U.S. and Russia for the building of a new Syria, and relieve the ISIS.

Turkey's support to ISIS was expressed by the US Secretary of State John Kerry himself, who said 75 percent of the entire border has now been shut off, and they are entering an operation with the Turks to shut off the other remaining 98 km. Could there ever be another evidence exposing the cooperation between Turkey and ISIS so clearly? Turkey is already uttering threats against the seizure of control of Jarablus by Rojava Revolutionaries, and conducting artillery attacks against Kobanê, which both reveal its protection of Jarablus, in other words the ISIS.

Jarablus is an area that constitutes a threat of attack to Kurds. During the Kobanê siege, gangs carried out attacks from this area with the support of the Turkish state. Separate attacks on Kobanê were also launched from Gırê Sipî (Tal Abyad) in the same way. YPG has cleared Tal Abyad of ISIS which however still remains in Jarablus, threatening and attacking Kobanê on daily basis.

on 25 June, ISIS groups infiltrated into Kobanê from three locations, two of which moved from Jarablus and Turkey side, and massacred some 300 civilians, all of whom were unarmed and defenseless. They raided houses and killed every single one inside, women and children all alike. This massacre was an unprecedented crime against humanity witnessed in human history. This mass killing was perpetrated with the support of the Turkish state after the siege was broken and ISIS was defeated in Kobanê. Any society or state would immediately respond to the perpetrators and aim at eliminating the centre of this threat. In an attempt to avoid an offensive against Jarablus, the Turkish state then threatened to hit Kobanê Revolutionaries in the event of their crossing to the western side of the Euphrates. In this way, Turkey both protected ISIS and revealed its complicity in the unprecedented mass killing of 300 civilians. What attitude would the Turkish state adopt if it itself was targeted by such a massacre? It would probably order an immediate offensive and seizure of Jarablus. Yet, when it comes to Kurds, it shielded itself to avoid a punishment of the murderers of Kurds.

ISIS and the powers behind it must necessarily give an account of the massacre of 300 civilians, and the perpetrators of this inhumane crime must be tried at the International Criminal Court of Hague. It is worth noting that this bloodcurdling massacre wasn't covered by the world media widely despite the fact that it claimed lives as many as the total number of Amed, Suruç, Ankara, Lebanon and Paris mass killings. While this massacre alone was a reason to end ISIS, the Turkish state threatened the YPG against entering Jarablus. Could there ever be a clearer support for ISIS? Don't the US, France and the whole anti-ISIS coalition see this reality? If YPG and allied Arab forces had entered Jarablus after this massacre, Paris attacks wouldn't have occurred, and even Raqqa would have fallen by now. Yet, no attitude was adopted against these threats of Turkey, nor to stop Turkey being an obstacle in the fight against ISIS. The Kurdish forces in Rojava weren't given an opportunity to advance upon ISIS in Jarablus and other areas in spite of the fact that Kobanê's Revolutionary Forces and Raqqa's Arab Revolutionary Forces had attained a right to take Jarablus after the mass killing of 300 civilians.

In the same way it attacked on Kobanê over Raqqa, ISIS is now attacking on Efrîn over Jarablus, and it is being joined by Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham in these assaults. They may not have a joint command or direct coordination but attacks are being conducted by these groups all together. Under the circumstances, do the people of Efrîn have the right to fight ISIS, Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham? Of course, they have. While Turkey continues defending gang groups under the name of Bayır Bucak Turkmens, do the people of Rojava Kurdistan have no right to respond to the attacks aimed at them?

It is not possible to understand international forces which claim to have established a coalition against ISIS but on the other hand take no stance against the Turkish state that provides the greatest support to these gang groups. Would the entire humanity, Paris people in the first place, not be right to ask what kind of a policy this is?

It is quite obvious that no consistent fight can be given against ISIS and no results can be obtained from this fight unless a clear attitude is taken against Turkey and the AKP government is brought to account. Besides, the AKP government has deserved to be punished time after time as an accomplice to the massacres committed by the ISIS and Al-Nusra groups it has long supported."

[John Dolva]

Thursday, December 3, 2015 11:55 AM
NEWS DESK - ANF

The German state continues subjecting Kurdish political activists to repression and criminalizing Kurdish institutions, as a result of which 6 Kurdish politicians have been arrested this year.

At the moment, 8 Kurdish political activists remain in German jails under heavy circumstances. All these stand trial in accordance with the Article 129b, which requires a particular approval by the Ministry of Justice.

Lawyers for Kurdish politicians jailed in Germany did previously apply to the Ministry of Justice demanding the revocation of the particular approval for the implementation of Article 129b for Kurdish prisoners. The Ministry is, however, yet to answer the application.

WHAT IS THE ARTICLE 129B?

129b was among the most controversial anti-terror acts put into force by Germany after the 11 September attacks in 2003 to "smooth the international fight against terror". The act enables the trial of persons and groups involved in any kind of political act of violence outside Germany.

129b is grounded on the European Union's list of terrorist organisations in which the PKK was included on 2 May 2002.

THE KURDISH POLITICIANS CURRENTLY JAILED IN GERMANY

Metin Aydın: Remains jailed in Germany for some 3 years since his arrest in Switzerland as a result of pressure by the German state. He was brought to a Germany prison after being held in custody in Switzerland for a long time.

Abdullah Şen: Jailed for 3 years despite there being no act of violence attributed to him.

Mehmet Demir: Jailed for over a year with no evidence available as to a related crime committed by his side.

Ahmet Çelik: A well-known Kurdish politician jailed since July. In the face of the political repression in Turkey, Çelik was forced to migrate to Germany where he faced similar pressure as he presided the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Germany, YEK-KOM. He remains in prison despite his need of daily treatment to deal with serious health problems he is suffering.

Bedrettin Kavak: Jailed in Germany since August. Kavak remained in Turkish prisons for a total of 24 years for political reasons. He suffered heavy torture in Amed prison in 1980. He later took refuge in France for treatment of his severe health problems, in spite of which he has been jailed by the German state.

Kenan Bastu: Jailed since October, Bastu is a Kurdish politician who once presided the People's Assembly in Paris and later coordinated HDP's election activities in Hannover. It grabs attention that Bastu was arrested soon after Angela Merkel's visit to Turkey on 18 October.

Mustafa Çelik: Jailed since his arrest in the wake of a raid by German police while receiving treatment in November. The German state is making Çelik's health problems get severer after he suffered an injury as a result of attacks by the Turkish state. Similarly to Kenan Bastu, Çelik was arrested soon after Merkel's visit to Turkey.

Ali Özel: Jailed in Germany for over a year despite there being no evidence available.

KURDS WERE MASSACRED BY GERMAN ARMS

The German state became a party to the Kurdistan war and took side by the Turkish state during 90's. Following the unification of Germany, 300 thousand kalashnikov rifles remaining from Eastern Germany, as well as 300 BTR-60 infantry tanks, 5 thousand machine guns, 100 thousand B-7, RPG rocket guns and 445 million bullets were granted to Turkey. The Turkish state perpetrated massacres in Kurdistan with these guns.

WHY DOES GERMANY SUPPORT A STATE THAT PROTECTS ISIS?

As Kurds continue fighting against ISIS barbarity on behalf of humanity, the German state has also become a part of the Turkish state's war against Kurds since 24 July.

While it remains understandable that Turkey attacks Kurds to protect the ISIS, it raises question marks and suspicions why the German state is supporting Turkey which supports ISIS. Kurdish institutions evaluate this policy of the German state as an indirect support and morale to the ISIS.

[John Dolva]

Monday, January 4, 2016 3:25 PM

NEWS DESK - ANF

Botan Democratic People's Initiative has released a statement calling on Kurdish people to rise up as state forces have started executions in Şırnak's Silopi district.

The Initiative informed that state forces have entirely encircled Silopi town from four sides, and are now executing people one by one and in groups. The statement remarked that Turkish forces that continue to shell neighborhoods with tank and artillery fire are now killing Kurdish youths and civilians in the areas they have managed to enter.

The Initiative called upon all the Kurdish people in Botan region, Kurdistan and Europe as well as all democracy forces to take urgent action and start uninterrupted protests against this inhuman savagery and massacre.

"Everywhere should be turned into hell to stop the AKP fascism. If the Kurdish people in Silopi, Cizre and Sur aren't granted a right to live, life must be made unbearable for the AKP colonialism as well. It is not time for marches and press releases anymore. All our people must rise up and stop the life everywhere as of now. We have no single second to lose in the face of this massacre. Those who do not act now shall do nothing later."

[Len Colby]

Got anything more reliable than political propaganda?

[John Dolva]

you talking to me?

[Evan Burton]

It's true; you are posting pretty much only news releases from a single source and one which is in no way independent. I know the releases are biased and that adds a certain balance to other news sources we see however they cannot be relied upon.

[Len Colby]

[John Dolva]

Wonderful! Somebody finally gets it (kinda). Never thought it'd be you Evan, but that's me.

You're absolutely right. If you want bias in favour of Turkey (in this inbstance) just read the daily rag wherever you are in the west. Then look to here and :

Women Defense Units (@DefenseUnitsYPJ) | Twitter On Nov 15 @mickthehack tweeted: "It will only be in years to come, when I.." - read what others are saying and join the conversation. Firat News Agency (@anfenglish) | Twitter The latest Tweets from Firat News Agency (@anfenglish). Facebook: https://t.co/pqEGMjaKS7 Rojava Defense Units (@DefenseUnits) | Twitter The latest Tweets from Rojava Defense Units (@DefenseUnits). Official Twitter Account for Rojava's People's Defense Units (YPG) Press Office | Follow/RT≠Endorsement. Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan) News about #YPG on Twitter 19h ago @WNews_Reddit tweeted: "Syria exclusive: Kurds dig in near ISIS .." - read what others are saying and join the conversation. ANF | Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê Kürdistan, ortadogu ve dünyanın her yerinden özgür haberler. JINHA || www.newsagencyofwomen.com JINHA || www.newsagencyofwomen.com News | ANHA People's Defense Units Syria Pulse Home The Rojava Report | News from the Revolution in Rojava and Wider Kurdistan News from the Revolution in Rojava and Wider Kurdistan (by ---) The Kurdistan Woman s Liberation Movement | Partiya ... CAMPACC: Campaign Against Criminalising Communities - Home ABOUT - Delist the PKK Harvest for balance. Len.

[Len Colby]

The conflict in and around Syria (Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon etc.) and the Kurdish struggle independence or at least autonomy/better treatment are complex messes. Postings from highly biases sources that don't even pretend to provide evidence for their claims are great for reinforcing the choir and other parishioners´ belief that theirs is 'the one and true church' but are unlikely be of interest to others. They are on the same level as unsourced memes

Edited January 9, 2016 by Len Colby

[Evan Burton]

True, but when they all agree upon aspects of a story then you have some level of confidence that it is somewhat accurate.

[John Dolva]

15:14

January 11 / 2016

JINHA

ANKARA – Spontaneous demonstrations have spread in Turkey’s capital of Ankara, after a Diyarbakır teacher who made a call for peace become the target of a lynch campaign by Turkish mainstream media.

On January 8, a woman named Ayşe Çelik called in to the live talk show Beyaz Show, one of Turkey’s most popular late-night talk shows, broadcast on Channel D. Ayşe was calling from Diyarbakır, where dozens of civilians have been killed in a 24-hour curfew that the state has now implemented for 41 days. Ayşe made a desperate call, saying, “children should not be killed.”

The host of the program thanked Ayşe for sharing her message, but Channel D administration soon released a statement.

“This is a provocation. We always stand with our state,” said Channel D. The statement dismissed the killing of children in Kurdistan as something from an “unimaginable film script.” Multiple mainstream media outlets have demonized Ayşe and accused her of spreading “propaganda,” with alleged efforts to find Ayşe underway.

Yesterday, a single woman appeared in front of the Channel D building in the Turkish capital of Ankara, where she held a sign reading, “Children should not be killed. I am Ayşe Çelik.”

Today, similar signs have now appeared across Ankara, with citizens spotted carrying the message “I am Ayşe Çelik” in the streets, on buses and on the metro.

(sy/cm)

15:00

January 11 / 2016

JINHA

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s Academics for Peace have held a press conference to share their call for the Turkish state to end its attacks on Kurdish regions. The academics have announced that they will continue Parliamentary and international activities as long as their demands are not met.

As Turkey’s ruling AKP implements a state of blockade and curfew against the provinces of Kurdistan, academics gathered in Istanbul to announce their opposition to the severe violations of rights in the region. Alper Açık spoke on behalf of Academics for Peace at Istanbul’s Taksim Gönen Hotel.

“The Turkish state has effectively condemned its citizens in Sur, Silvan, Nusaybin, Cizre, Silopi, and many other towns and neighborhoods in the Kurdish provinces to hunger through its use of curfews that have been ongoing for weeks,” said the statement. “It has attacked these settlements with heavy weapons and equipment that would only be mobilized in wartime. As a result, the right to life, liberty, and security, and in particular the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment protected by the constitution and international conventions have been violated.”

The academics demanded that the state immediately stop the massacre and forced displacement of the peoples of the Kurdistan region; punish perpetrators of human rights violations; compensate aggrieved citizens; and allow independent national and international observers into the region. The academics called for the government to allow for peace negotiations involving representatives of a range of segments of society, in which academics are prepared to participate.

Alper announced that as long as Turkey did not recognize these demands, the academics would continue contacting individuals in Turkey’s Parliament and internationally in order to raise awareness of the scope of the violations.

1,128 academics from dozens of universities in Turkey, in addition to academics from many more countries, signed the statement, according to academic Zeynep Kıvılcım. She noted that the state has escalated repression in Turkey’s universities in parallel with the escalating violence in the Kurdish provinces.

“We will continue to struggle, organize and strengthen our existing organizations against all of this. We will defend the right to opposition and resistance, peace and negotiation, with panels and activities at the universities. We will continue to be in solidarity with our colleagues and students who have been imprisoned for their thoughts,” said Zeynep.

(ck/fk/cm)

[Len Colby]

FWIW articles from the Today's Zaman newspaper about the above. Apparently the paper is tied to to the moderate Islamic Gullen Movement.

http://www.todayszaman.com/index/ayse-celik