KNK BRUSSELS : STATEMENT ABOUT YILMAZ ORKAN

TO THE PUBLIC OPINION –  : THE VICTIMISATION OF KURDISH POLITICIANS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN EUROPE

Whilst on his way to the World Social Forum in Tunisia, the vice-president of KONKURD and KNK member, Mr Yilmaz Orkan was arrested at Brussels Airport following instructions from the Spanish government, 24th March, 2013. As the public are also aware, Mr Adem Uzun, representative of KNK’s Executive Council and Kurdish diplomat was deceptively arrested in France, October 2012.

It has been a common re-occurrence in Europe to witness the victimisation and targeting of Kurdish politicians, executives and diplomats. This has become an area of concern for us. Such actions are causing on the one hand, the criminalisation of legitimate organisations like KNK and KONKURD in Europe, whilst narrowing and preventing the development of Kurdish diplomatic relations.

We believethat the existence of these unfair proceedings against Kurdish organisations and individuals in Europe is related to the anti-democratic economic ties between the Turkish government and Europe. The formations of new contracts are at the expense of imprisoningKurdish individuals.

9th January, 2013, marked the date of an insidious attack upon our friends Fidan Dogan (KNK member), Sakina Cansiz and Leyla Saylemez (Kurdish Woman’s Movement executives) in Paris. This attack targeted at its foremost, Kurdish organisations and Kurdish diplomatic relations. Never before had the Kurdish community in Europe witnessed such an attack, marking 2013 as the first time a physical annihilation of such, took place.

Whilst all of these events took place in Europe, Turkey and Kurdistan were also experiencing significant developments. Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdish people who has been denied his freedom for last fourteen years, stated on the 21st March, 2013 that a new era in Kurdish history was about to begin; calling for the Turkish-Kurdish conflict to come to an end. The Kurdish Movement which declared a ceasefire following Ocalan’s statement has allowed for further dialogue to take place between the AKP Government and Mr Ocalan. Much attention from both Turkey and the outside world has been brought towards the Peace Negotiations and support is expected fromthe European countries. However, the victimisation of Kurdish politicians in Europe and their arrests will not progress the negotiations but deter any potential developments.

The arrests of our friends Mr Adem Uzun and Mr Yilmaz Orkan will not assist in the peace negotiations and are political acts hindering the process. We are deeply concerned with these arrests. Our friends have only ever been involved in diplomatic activities and lobbying. They have not been involved with criminal matters. They have been arrested unfairly and with false presuppositions. We call for all those countries who are concerned with these unfair arrests to stop further arrests and to free those who have been a victim of false imprisonment.

We strive for solidarity with everybody and hope to get our voice heard to all those who care about peace, dialogue and human rights.

Regards,

KNK Executive Council.