Severe human right violations by the Turkish state

We call all the democratic organizations and international foundations to stand against AKP and Erdogan's dictatorship and support the peoples resisting for democracy.

As long as peace for the Kurdish people is not ensured and an end is not put to Turkey's policies in Syria and Iraq, EU countries are facing a threat. ISIS, that is taking advantage of Turkey's approach in the Middle East, is bloodsheding in the EU. To stop ISIS, the support that Turkey is giving to ISIS needs to be halted and condemned.

The Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV), published the 2015 human rights violation report that was prepared during the 10-17 December Week of Human Rights. Ozturk Turkdogan, the general president of IHD who disclosed the report declared "From the perspective of human rights there is a demand that needs to be met from Turkey. That is to urgently establish peace. When peace is not ensured the right to live is not protected, when the right to live is being abused it is impossible to speak of other human rights". Moreover Turkdogan, said that since there was no intervention in the human right violations conducted in 2015, the United Nations' system has collapsed.

The end of the Kurdish-Turkish Peace Process increased the violations

Severe cases of human right violations were experienced during 2015: In Diyarbakir (5 dead, tens injured) , in Suruc (33 dead, tens injured) and in the Ankara massacre (100 dead, hundreds injured). With the end of the Kurdish-Turkish Peace Process by the President of Turkey Recep T Erdogan, hundreds of people were shot in the streets by the law enforcement units, in the renewed conflicts. Tens of times civilians and the PKK were bombed on Iraq grounds. Curfew was declared in tens of Kurdish towns within Turkey. During the curfew period water and electric outages, lack of basic food supply was experienced. Medication and treatment to those injured by the attacks were not allowed by the police itself on the ground of the incident, whereas the dead could not be buried due to curfew prohibitions. During the blockade of towns and neighborhoods by the law enforcements units civilian youths, women, elderly and children were massacred. Journalists were arrested and freedom of press was violated. The refugees in Turkey are facing dramatic circumstances.

Southern Californians in solidarity with KOBANE Condemn ISLAMIC State and Turkey in a Rally

By Dr Amir Sharifi

July 25, 2013

On July, 19, 2013 a Kurdish delegation consisting of the Kurdish Human Rights Advocacy Group (KHRAG) and Kurdish American Committee for Human Rights and Democracy in Iran (KACDHI) met with Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations’ special rapporteur in Los Angeles to discuss the Kurdish human rights concerns and interests. Our purpose in attending this meeting was to introduce and advance Kurdish human rights. We commended Dr. Shaheed for his last inclusive and transparent report that reflects the concerns of a wide spectrum of civil and political rights including political freedom, freedom of assembly and information, freedom of religion, etc

 We particularly welcomed his discussion of “economic, social, and cultural freedoms covering issues of the right to education, economic, social, and cultural development of several ethnic communities including Kurds.  We welcomed the positive steps, the diversity, depth and richness of the report; however, we pointed out that Kurdish human rights have yet to find their rightful and distinct place.

Mr. Xulam's writing is just as compelling as his story. His proficient use of historical anecdotes make his feelings and situation easy to relate to, even to those with little to no knowledge of the Kurdish situation. Please join us as we speak with this expert who provides us with an inside look at the life and feelings of a Kurdish exile in America.

Encompassing Crescent: Where were you born and raised?

Kani Xulam: I was born in the village of Gavgas but spent most of my time in the town of Pasor (the Amed province in northern Kurdistan), where I attended school and helped my dad in his store.  In the summers, we would often return to Gavgas and the nearby highlands to graze our goats.  In September, my family and I would return to Pasor for school until June.  I lived in this Turkish-administered province until I was 19, when I left home and eventually settled in the United States.

EC: Where were you educated?

KX: I went to Turkish schools in Pasor, aka, "Kulp" in Turkish, all the way through high school.  I did my university education in Toronto, Ontario and Santa Barbara, California.

EC: What does your last name mean in Kurdish?