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Kurdish Human Rights Project

ISSN: 1462–6535

Kurdish Human Rights Project newsline Newsline 4, Winter 2007, Issue 40 15th Anniversary Issue Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 KHRP Conducts Fact-fi nding Director’s Letter Mission in Border Regions

In November 2007, KHRP sent a fact-fi nding mission to Kurdis- tan, Iraq to conduct research on the recent human rights devel- opments in the region and to to 2007 follow up on the fi ndings from te Dear Friends, Fif en Y 2 the KHRP mission carried out in ear 99 January 2007. The mission con- As 2007 draws to a close, s - 1 sisted of KHRP’s Executive Di- KHRP can look back not only on rector Kerim Yildiz, Legal Offi cer a very successful year, but on Catriona Vine, Research Intern a decade and a half of tireless Johanna Nykänen, and Tanyel work for human rights in the Taysi, who is currently lecturing Kurdish regions and beyond. at the University of Kurdistan- December 2007 sees KHRP turn Hewler. fi fteen and on 12 December we During the 6-day trip, of began the fi rst in a series of an- which one day was committed niversary celebrations with an to NGO training in Sulemanya, exhibition of photographs of the mission delegates travelled Kurdistan from our upcoming anniversary photo book at the extensively around the Kurdis- Johanna Nykanen and Kerim Yildiz in Sersenk district together with the local Mayor. Th e Delfi na Foundation in London. tan region meeting with a large district was recently aff ected by Turkish bombardment. Over the past decade and a number of organizations and Democratic Party (KDP), intel- trict in the border regions who half the organisation has gone individuals. Among them were lectuals, lawyers and human have suff ered bombardment from strength to strength and representatives of the two rul- rights activists. by both Turkey and Iran dur- has made an enormous impact ing parties, Patriotic Union of The mission also met with ing the past months’ tensions. both on the human rights situ- ifteen Y 2 to 2007 ifteen Y 2 to 2007 Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan villagers of the Sersenk dis- continued on page 2 ation in the Kurdish regions and F ears - 199 F ears - 199 on the continued development of an international human rights EUTCC Once Again Provides Space for Dialogue at Fourth culture. Back in 1992 we began International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds as a project working on the use of litigation at the European The Fourth International speeches were made by the tions surrounding democra- Court of Human Rights in order Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 Conference on the EU, Turkey 1994 Rafto Prize winner Ms. tisation, confl ict resolution, to bring Turkey to account for and the Kurds was held on the Leyla Zana, Ms. Bianca Jagger, reform and human rights in the widespread abuse of human rights there, particularly in the 3rd and 4th December in the EUTCC Patron and Mr. Francis Turkey and their relevance to Kurdish regions. From our hum- European Parliament, Brus- Wurtz, MEP. the EU-Turkey accession proc- ble beginnings we have grown sels. The two-day conference ess. The current context of a into a truly groundbreaking or- Opening remarks were brought together NGOs, poli- grave deterioration in the re- ganisation, renowned not only made by the EUTCC (EU-Turkey ticians, academics and activ- form and accession process, for the success of our litigation Civic Commission) Board Di- ists from Europe, Turkey, the and the growing risk of inter- programme, but for our region- rector Ms. Kariane Westrheim Kurdish regions and beyond, nationalisation of the confl ict al training, expert analysisKurdish and Human Rights Project Kurdish Human Rights Project and KHRP Executive Director seeking to openly address in south-east Turkey, added to the publication of leading fact- Mr. Kerim Yildiz. The opening the many outstanding ques- continued on page 3 continued on page 2 to 2007 KHRP Marks its 15 Year Anniversary Fifteen Ye 92 See Inside for details of upcoming celebrations Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 ars - 19 1

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Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007

ifteen Y 2 to 2007 ifteen Y 2 to 2007 F ears - 199 F ears - 199 continued from page 1: effects of such bombardments, mission learned, there is an ur- sion along with recommenda- KHRP Conducts Fact-finding particularly on children, are en- gent need to find effective ways tions for the improvement of Mission in Border Regions during and extremely worrying. to deal with the problem. KHRP the human rights situation in The mission learned that is greatly concerned about the Kurdistan, Iraq. KHRP is extremely concerned some improvements in the do- enduring practice of honour KHRP is very pleased with the about Turkey and Iran’s increas- mestic human rights situation crimes in Kurdistan. The mission outcome of the fact-finding mis- ingly aggressive troop build-up have taken place but that many members noted that some, al- sion and will be working closely on the frontier with Kurdistan, issues are still in need of serious beit by no means adequate, ef- with its partners in order to act Iraq, particularly following Oc- attention. The mission investi- forts have been made to tackle on the information gathered. tober’s motion in the Turkish gated the ongoing practice of the issue. KHRP is also delighted to have parliament authorising cross- unlawful imprisonments and Freedom of expression, further cultivated links with lo- border operations. The recent the treatment of detainees and conduct of local NGOs and the cal bodies and individuals in the bombardments on civilian-in- observed that despite some operation of legal bodies were region and is looking forward to habited areas have caused seri- progress, the situation remains also examined. An extensive working together and fostering cooperation in the future. ous disruption for local people, acute. Violence against women report on the mission will be including destruction of prop- continues to be among the published early next year. The For a selection of photographs erty, livestock, arable land and gravest of human rights viola- report will include information taken during the mission, please woodland. The psychological tions in the region and as the and the analysis from the mis- turn to page 11.

continued from page 1: the north of Iraq. The outbreak of demonstrate that there is much the proceedings of last year’s Director’s Letter full-scale hostilities in the region left to do to ensure full human International Conference on the would be disastrous for Turkey, rights in the Kurdish regions. EU, Turkey and the Kurds. Decem- finding and research reports on Iran, Syria and their neighbours, Despite recent tensions ber 2007 sees the publication of key human rights developments. and would do nothing to bring KHRP‘s work in the regions has the twelfth issue of KHRP’s Legal When KHRP started back in an end to the conflict between been ongoing over the autumn Review, which continues to pro- 1992 the situation in the Kurdish them and Kurdish armed groups. and winter . Along with the vide unique analysis of human regions was bleak, characterised Indeed, though full-scale con- above-mentioned fact-finding rights-related legislative and pol- by discrimination, violence, op- flict has thus far been averted, mission to the region, KHRP has icy developments in the Kurdish pression, displacement and ex- the ongoing bombardment of conducted several important regions and in Europe. Further, trajudicial killings. The work of villages and countryside across training sessions in the Kurdish with the launch of our brand new KHRP has directly contributed the border by Turkish and Ira- cities of Van, Şirnak and Sule- website and online shop in Octo- to changing this. Thanks to our nian shells has already taken a manya on topics ranging from ber, the work of KHRP has been work detention periods through- great toll. In November KHRP taking cases to the European more visible than ever. out Turkey have been reduced, saw this first-hand when it - con Court of Human Rights and the The year ended with KHRP co- and with them, the likelihood of ducted a fact-finding mission to UN, to the establishment and de- organising the EUTCC’s Fourth In- torture and ill treatment. Rape is the Sersenk district of Kurdistan, velopment of successful NGOs. ternational Conference on the EU, now recognised as a form of tor- Iraq and met with Kurdish and These training sessions are cen- Turkey and the Kurds, which once ture across all 46 member states Chaldean villagers whose farms, tral to KHRP’s aim of supporting again provided a much-needed of the Council of Europe, while homes and livestock had been human rights practitioners in the space for dialogue and debate death penalty has become wide- destroyed by Turkish shelling. We regions in forging a real human on how to solve the ongoing ly recognised as having no legiti- also travelled to areas affected by rights culture. conflict in the Kurdish regions, mate place in modern democrat- Iranian shelling. Given the suc- Throughout the year we have and the central importance of ic states. The improved situation cess that the Kurdistan Regional continued to submit new cases this to Turkey’s EU accession bid. in the region today does not bear Government has had in creat- to the European Court of Human Hopefully 2008 will see an eas- comparison to those ‘dark years’. ing relative stability it would be Rights. We have also been work- ing of tension in the region and However, as the events of 2007 an appalling step backwards for ing extensively on cases pending the creation of real space within demonstrate, the full protection the region as a whole were a full before the Court, most recently Turkey itself for such important of human rights for all those liv- scale incursion to cause a new taking applicant statements in dialogue. Kurdish Human Rights ing in the Kurdish regions is far mass exodus, further adding to Baku, Azerbaijan. Project will work as hard as ever from being achieved, with the Iraq’s crippling internal displace- Over the past months KHRP to make this a reality. risk of worsening conflict in the ment problem. has once again served as an es- As KHRP enters its sixteenth region still all too real. The situation in Syria’s Kurd- sential source of objective and year of operations much has Over the past number of ish regions also remains tense. In expert analysis for print, radio, changed since our establishment, months the most visible issue November protests in the town television and online media dur- yet much remains the same. Our affecting the Kurdish regions is of Qamishli related to Syria’s ap- ing the border crisis, appearing work is more relevant than ever the enormous increase in ten- proval of Turkish military opera- in the Financial Times, on BBC ra- and we will continue tirelessly sion on the Turkish-Iraqi border, tions in Kurdistan, Iraq, turned dio and on al-Jazeera. Our media to promote justice, equality and particularly following the Turkish violent when the Syrian secu- presence was coupled with our the rule of law in the Kurdish re- parliament’s approval of cross- rity forces intervened with trun- production of quality research gions. KHRP’s decade and a half border military operations in cheons, tear-gas and live ammu- publications in both printed and of success would not have been October. KHRP has been closely nition. Meanwhile in Turkey, as online form. Throughout October possible without the dedicated following developments in this our recent fact-finding missions and November KHRP published backing of our many supporters, crisis and has consistently voiced have reported, the reform proc- the findings of our summer fact- funders and volunteers. As we its criticism of the militaristic ap- ess has slowed to a halt, with a finding mission on the media in enter 2008 I would like to extend proach of Turkey, Syria and Iran, marked regression in media free- Turkey, our summer trial obser- to them all our heartfelt thanks. underlining as it does their lack dom and no progress in the area vations concerning the murder I wish you all a prosperous New of interest in the causes behind of cultural and language rights. of Hrant Dink and the Şemdinli Year. conflict in the region, and their The continuing obstacles faced bombing, our research on inter- Kerim Yildiz hostility to Kurdish autonomy in by the Kurds of Syria and Turkey nal displacement in Turkey, and Executive Director.

2 continued from page 1: lution of the Kurdish question EUTCC Once Again Provides that a similar space for debate, Space for Dialogue ... discussion and engagement is promoted within Turkey, and the importance and urgency that the EU lends its full sup- of this year’s discussions and port to Turkey in this regard.” deliberations. The final resolutions of the Speakers represented a conference have been com- wide range of opinion and ap- piled and finalised by the proach to the obstacles facing EUTCC Board and are available Turkish accession to the EU, on the EUTCC website (www. which led to lively debate and eutcc.org). They will also be discussion. There were several disseminated on MESOP news points of contention amongst service. For a selection of pho- both audience members and tographs of the conference, speakers. While it was gener- please turn to page 10. ally agreed that the accession The EU- Turkey Civic Com- process is a vital element of mission (EUTCC) was estab- the Turkish democratisation lished in November 2004 as process, opinions differed as the outcome of the First In- to who should be party to fu- ternational Conference on the ture moves towards a resolu- EU, Turkey and the Kurds, held tion of the Kurdish issue. in the European Parliament in Kerim Yildiz praised the Brussels on 22-23 November quality and depth of discus- 2004 and jointly organised by sion stating that “the range the Bar Human Rights Com- of views offered and the will- mittee of England and Wales ingness of people to listen (UK); the Kurdish Human demonstrates the clear desire Rights Project (UK); medico for the development of demo- international (Germany); and cratic platforms within Turkey the Rafto Foundation (Nor- promoting genuine dialogue Kerim Yildiz with Mr Akın Birdal MP (DTP) way). The EUTCC aims to both on the Kurdish issue and its im- promote and provide sugges- pact on EU accession “. EUTCC issues of human rights and on- be expressed and debated. tions for Turkey’s bid for EU ac- Chair Kariane Westrheim simi- going conflict in Turkey. Inevi- The EUTCC is delighted that cession, and to help guarantee larly praised the openness of tably views will differ on such this week’s conference once respect for human and minor- the debate stating “this is pre- important topics. What is vi- again provided such a space. ity rights and a peaceful, dem- cisely what is needed when tal, however, is to provide the It is essential for EU accession, ocratic and long-term solution addressing the often fraught space in which all views can democratisation and the reso- to the Kurdish situation. Tensions Escalate Over Clashes at the Turkey-Iraq border

Following an incident in allow the army to launch raids employed in an effort to de- denied that there had been Hakkari province in October in and shell PKK bases across the fuse the conflict. During a visit an incursion by Turkish troops which 12 Turkish soldiers were border. This bill was accompa- to Turkey in early November, into Kurdistan. Having initially killed, the Turkish parliament nied by a marked increase in Condoleezza Rice sought to denied the attack the PKK approved a motion authoris- political rhetoric, with senior dissuade a large-scale invasion confirmed a bombardment of ing the military to fight the figures threatening a full-scale of Iraq with a package of con- their bases inside Iraq by Tur- PKK across the border in Iraq. invasion of Kurdistan, Iraq in ciliatory measures. US Presi- key, but claimed that no casu- Although incursions across order to flush out the PKK. dent George Bush agreed to alties had been inflicted. In a the border have become com- Seeking to avert conflict, share intelligence with Turkey November fact-finding mis- monplace in recent years, this an Iraqi delegation travelled in support of actions against sion to the region, KHRP wit- bill brought the issue to the to Ankara 26 October. The the PKK. nessed the damage shelling attention of the international delegation pledged to close On 28 November the Turk- had caused to civilian homes press, and was condemned by down PKK offices in Iraq. How- ish military issued a statement and farmland, and the enor- foreign governments, in par- ever officials in Ankara further declaring that a military unit mous disruption and trauma it ticular the US. demanded that a list of Kurds had conducted its first attack has caused. Dozens of Turkish soldiers be extradited to Turkey. on PKK members in Kurdis- Kurdish officials in Iraq con- have died since October in Alarm was expressed by tan, Iraq. The military claimed tinue to voice suspicions that clashes, and eight were taken the US that the situation could that it had fired on a group of the current escalation of ten- hostage, before being re- potentially spark a wider con- 50 to 60 PKK members inside sions is no more than a pre- leased in early November. flict with the Kurdistan Re- Iraqi territory, inflicting signifi- text for sabre-rattling due to Under widespread pressure gional Government (KRG) and cant losses. However, Jamal Turkish fears of a strong Kurd- from the country to respond, destabilize the wider region. Abdulla, spokesman of KRG ish autonomous region on its the government decided to Diplomatic measures were President Massoud Barzani, borders. 3 Kurdistan through the Photographers’ Lens: KHRP to Launch 15th Anniversary Photo Book In order to mark the an- niversary of 15 years of op- erations in December 2007, Kurdish Human Rights Project has been working on a photo- graphic book and exhibition. The book, entitled Beyond the Art of Resistance: the Kurds & Kurdistan through the Pho- tographers’ Lens, includes the work of ten internationally renowned contemporary pho- tographers who have worked in the Kurdish regions of Tur- key, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Arme- nia, and whose careers span the last thirty years. Some of these contributors, such as Ed Kashi, Susan Meise- las and Tom Carrigan, were already familiar with KHRP and have been involved in the work of the organisation since its inception. Many others were ap- proached by the organisation with the aim of gathering together the work of people who for their own different reasons ended up working in such a difficult area of the world. This ranges from pho- tojournalists who covered the war and exodus crises of the 1980s and 1990s to independ- ent photographers who want- ed to travel the mountains and meet the people of Kurdistan, discovering the inner beauty of the country. ABOVE: ‘Wee Boy’, Photograph by Tom Carrigan, Zacho, Kurdistan, 1991. Zbigniew Kosc, for instance, RIGHT: KHRP Chair Mark Muller with Delfina Entrecanales of the Delfina Foundation. a Polish photographer based in Amsterdam, visited Kurdis- country which is often beyond litical organisation promoting tan to collect a representative people’s eyes or imagination. cultural exchange between photographic portrait of the Photographers continually the UK and the Middle East. everyday life of the region’s make an enormous contribu- The Foundation will publish people. The dignity of a peo- tion to the memory of a peo- the book along with Trolley ple often depends on the im- ple who have been struggling Press Ltd. age given of them. Kurds from for the survival of their iden- A pre-launch event for the all over the world are grateful tity. The images in the book book was held at the Delfina to him for his work as it shows aim to give a wide overview Foundation on 12 December that “…there is somebody out of their experiences, from war 2007, at which some of the there that hasn’t forgotten to peace and from suffering to photographs were exhibited especially the photographers, Kurdistan. So thanks from the splendour. and where sale pledges were whose donations made this bottom of my heart.” (Words of This book represents a mar- accepted. The book project possible. KHRP would a Kurdish viewer of his work.) riage of art and human rights will be launched at the begin- also like to thank Ingrid Tam- One of the reasons KHRP testimony. For this rea- ning of 2008, at which stage borin for her work coordinat- was so keen on this project son the KHRP photo book KHRP will have entered into its ing the project was the chance it offered to project has found an ideal 16th year of operations. KHRP Pre-order your copy today acknowledge the work of pho- partner in the Delfina Founda- would like to express its grati- by sending an email to Anna tographers as witnesses of a tion, an independent non-po- tude to all the contributors, Irvin at [email protected] 4 Arat Dink sentenced under article 301 Arat Dink, editor of the Is- Genocide. Arat Dink said “the the accusation of genocide press views of Turkish history tanbul-based Armenian-Turk- most absurd and dangerous “aimed at destroying the Turk- and identity which differ from ish Agos newspaper and son [thing] is the fact that describ- ish public order”. Pro-Kurdish government or nationalist ac- of the paper’s assassinated ing a historical event as `geno- news agency Bianet high- counts. It has also led to the former editor Hrant Dink, was cide’ is perceived as insulting lighted that other newspapers targeting of academics, writ- sentenced under article 301 Turkishness”. at the time, such as Cumhuri- ers and journalists by extrem- on 17 October. Serkis Sero- The court stated that the yet, also quoted Hrant Dink’s ist nationalist groups. Hrant pyan, the paper’s owner, was Turkish Constitution and the article but have not faced the Dink was sentenced under ar- also sentenced under the European Court of Human same charges. ticle 301 in 2005 and was mur- same article. Both men re- Rights (ECtHR) allow limitation The controversial article dered last January while un- ceived a one-year suspended of freedom of expression to 301 of the Turkish Penal code der investigation. It is widely sentence for ‘denigrating Turk- “protect national security, ter- has been used to stifle free- suggested that his conviction ishness’ by reprinting an inter- ritorial unity or public safety, dom of expression in Turkey, for ‘denigrating Turkishness’ view with Hrant Dink, where guarantee the law and prevent and has particularly been used was a central factor behind his he recognized the Armenian crimes.” It thus concluded that to punish intellectuals who ex- assassination. ECtHR Hears Case on Turkish Election Threshold The case of Yumak and per cent of the national vote the free expression of the Germany’s Bundestag at 5 per Sadak v. Turkey began being in parliamentary elections in opinion of the people in their cent, both also considered heard on 21 November by the order to win seats in the Na- choice of the legislature. to be relatively high. Many Grand Chamber of the Euro- tional Assembly. Consequent- In a judgment of 30 Janu- countries use proportional pean Court of Human Rights. ly, of the three parliamentary ary 2007 the European Court representation systems with- In the parliamentary elec- seats allotted to Şırnak prov- of Human Rights held by out any threshold, such as tions of 3 November 2002 ince, two were filled by the 5 votes to 2 that there had Portugal, Finland, the Nether- the applicants stood as can- AKP (Justice and Develop- been no violation of Article lands, and Ireland. The Turkish didates for the political party ment Party), which obtained 3 of Protocol No. 1. However, threshold is therefore by far DEHAP (Democratic Peo- just 14.05 per cent of the it also noted that it would be the highest in Council of Eu- ple’s Party) in the province provincial vote and the third desirable for the threshold to rope and serves to deny small of Şırnak. As a result of the by an independent candidate be lowered in order to ensure parties and their supporters ballot, DEHAP obtained ap- who obtained 9.69 per cent of optimal representation, while the right of representation. proximately 45.95per cent in the vote. Relying on Article 3 preserving the objective of In this summer’s elections the province, however their of Protocol No. 1 to the Euro- achieving stable parliamenta- Kurdish candidates stood as party did not secure 10 per pean Convention on Human ry majorities. The case was re- independents in order to cir- cent of the national vote. The Rights (right to free elections), ferred to the Grand Chamber cumvent the threshold, thus applicants were not elected, the applicants submitted that at the applicants’ request. achieving seats in parliament in accordance with Turkish setting a threshold of 10 per The nearest comparable for the first time in over a dec- electoral law, which states a cent of the vote in parliamen- European electoral thresh- ade. party must obtain at least 10 tary elections interfered with olds are Poland’s Sejm and KHRP Mourns the Death of its Dedicated Supporter and Patron Mehmed Uzun Kurdish Human Rights included advocate of Kurdish cultural Kerim Yildiz stated: “Mehmed Project was extremely sad- over one and linguistic rights and Uzun was a close friend and dened to learn of the death hundred worked tirelessly for the pro- supporter of KHRP and was on 11 October in Diyarbakır writers and tection, promotion and re- an honoured member of our of Kurdish writer and cultural poets from vival of the Kurdish language board of patrons. The beauty, figure Mehmed Uzun after a across the both in literature and daily sincerity and integrity of his long battle with cancer. Kurdish re- life. Through his work he also work created a democratic A prolific writer and linguist gions. Over became a staunch defender and peaceful platform for the of the Kurdish language, Uzun the years of freedom of expression assertion and promotion of lived in exile in Sweden from Mehmed Uzun 1953-2007 his work and was the recipient of nu- Kurdish rights. His death is a 1977, where he led success- has faced merous awards for his work, great loss to us here at KHRP ful literary career. He was the censorship and restrictions in including the prestigious and to all those who struggle writer of Turkey’s first modern Turkey, but has been lauded Swedish Torgny Segerstedt for the defence of freedom of Kurdish novel, Tu (You, 1985) internationally and translated Freedom of the Pen Award. expression and cultural-lin- and edited the first antholo- into over 20 languages. On the receipt of the sad guistic rights. Mehmed will gy of Kurdish literature which Uzun was an outspoken news, KHRP Executive Director be sadly missed.” 5 Iranian Supreme Court Upholds the Death Sentence against Adnan Hassanpour The Iranian Supreme Court this issue, and express our on 23 October upheld the solidarity with the two Kurd- death sentence against Ad- ish detainees”. nan Hassanpour. The death The Iranian government sentence against Hiwa Buti- has been put under pressure, mar was overturned the same and been subjected to wide day because of ‘irregularities international criticisms over of procedure’. the detention and death sen- Mr. Hassanpour’s law- tences against Butimar and yer Salah Nikhbakht was Hassanpour. On 30 July KHRP informed of the Supreme sent an urgent appeal to the Court’s verdict on 5 Novem- UN on behalf of the two men. ber. So far there is no infor- Further pressure to overturn mation on the date of imple- the verdict came from both mentation of the sentence. Amnesty International and Adnan Hassanpour and Hiwa Butimar Adnan Hassanpour Human Rights Watch. Hiwa Butimar are Kurdish The UN has yet to issue a journalists and activists who side their detention centre in journalistic activities. declaration or appeal for the were detained in January Mariwan. The Iranian authori- Stefano Marchi the repre- Kurdish journalists, despite 2007. They were both sen- ties were eventually pushed sentative of the award com- the fact that Iran’s treatment tenced to death by the Revo- into allowing a lawyer and a mission said to the Persian of them violates the Inter- lutionary Court in Mariwan family visit for the men, after radio station Farda “we chose national Covenant on Civil on 17 July. They were initially they held a hunger strike for two Kurds for this award be- and Political Rights (ICCPR), charged with “acts against 50 days, in which their health cause we are against the to which Iran is a state party. national security, spying for was reported to have gravely death sentence. Particularly Article 6(2) of the ICCPR states western countries and enmity deteriorated. we are against the death “in countries which have not against God”. The verdict from the Irani- sentence for people who abolished the death penalty, The two men have been an Supreme Court came out are executed for freedom of sentences to death may be held in a detention centre in just days after an Italian jour- expression and freedom of imposed only for the most se- Mariwan since their arrest. De- nalistic prize, the ‘freedom of thinking”. rious crimes.” spite international pressure media award’, was dedicated He further explained “we The UN Human Rights and complaints from various to the men. The award was are concerned about what is Committee, an independent sources that the cases against presented to their families on going on in Iran; Iran is the body that reviews states’ im- them were severely flawed, 30 November in a ceremony biggest prison for journalists. plementation of this treaty the Iranian authorities have held by the Siena city coun- It seems that persecution of stated “the Committee is of so far refused to reduce the cil in the province of Tuscany. journalists and press had be- the opinion that the expres- sentences or remove charges. Contrary to the regime’s claim, come a prime focus for the sion ‘most serious crimes’ Adnan and Hiwa have staged the Italian award commission Iranian regime. By selecting must be read restrictively to a vocal protest since their ar- believes that both Butimar these two journalists form Ira- mean that the death penalty rest. They have held hunger and Hassanpour were arrest- nian Kurdistan we are hoping should be a quite exceptional strikes, and led protests in- ed in connection with their to express our concern over measure.”

Uncertainty Surrounds Kirkuk Referendum Under Article 140 of the to Turkmen, Arabs and Chal- settled in Kirkuk; replacing deals with Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution a referen- dean Christian communities. the many thousand expelled constitution and of course dum must be held by the end However, before the refer- Turkmen and Kurds. the issue of Kirkuk” will begin of the year to decide whether endum can proceed, the con- On 2 December John Ne- in the new year. Kirkuk should fall under the stitution provides that a cen- groponte, US Deputy Sec- The issue has implications jurisdiction of the Kurdistan sus must be conducted, and retary of State, stated after for neighbouring countries Regional Government. The a process of normalization talks with Iraqi leaders , that with Kurdish populations, referendum is a highly con- must have been initiated. “clearly it’s not going to be who increasingly appear troversial issue in Iraq due Normalisation entails the possible between now and threatened and defensive at both to Kirkuk’s oil wealth, compensation of Arab set- the end of this year to mount the growing autonomy of the and the diversity of its popu- tlers who, under Saddam a referendum”. Negroponte Kurdistan Regional Govern- lation. Kirkuk is not solely the Hussein’s Arabisation policy expects that efforts “to get a ment. home of Kurds, but also home of the 1970s and 1980s, were process going forward that

6

Dispatches

Increased Censorship in Turkey due to Border Conflict Following of the October attack in Hakkari in which at least 12 Turk- ish soldiers the Turkish government has issued a ban on coverage of the recent clashes in Turkey’s Southeast. It was reported on 24 October that the government has imposed a broadcasting ban on radio and television institutions covering the PKK attacks in the Dağlıca region of Hakkari. A statement from the govern- ment justified the ban on grounds that coverage would negatively af- fect public order and morale by showing a weak image of the security forces. Deniz Baykal, chair of the opposition CHP has directly accused the government of practicing ‘censorship’.

Conference on Peace Process for the Kurds held in Serpil Taşkan receiving her KHRP Fellowship Certificate Diyarbakır A conference entitled “Kurds in Turkey: Main Requirements for a Peace Process” was held in in Diyarbakır on 29 September 2007. The KHRP Bids Farewell to its conference was co-organised by the Diyarbakır Bar Association and the Heinrich Böll Foundation. International Fellow Speakers at the two-day conference included Sezgin Tanrıkulu (pres- ident of Diyarbakır Bar Association), Ulrike Dufner (Heinrich Böll Foun- KHRP recently said farewell to dation), Prof. Dr. Mithat Sancar (Ankara University), Aysel Tuğluk (DTP its International Fellowship Pro- MP for Diyarbakır), Orhan Miroğlu (DTP) Yurdusev Özsekmenler (mayor of Bağlar), Dr. Dilek Kurban (TESEV), Prof. Baskın Oran (Ankara Univer- gram participant, Serpil Taşkan. sity), Nebahat Akkoç (Ka-Mer), Prof. Michael M. Gunter (Tennessee Tech- Serpil, a Kurd from Ankara, pro- nological University), Clem McCartney, Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Dr. Robert vided invaluable support to W. Olson and Çengiz Çandar (Istanbul Culture University). Catriona Vine, KHRP’s work, bringing us her local KHRP Legal Officer, was also in attendance. knowledge and understanding of the situation in Turkey and the Kurdish regions, during her four month stay. Her role at KHRP was KHRP attends OSCE Human Dimension to research, advise and report on Implementation Meeting. specific issues of human rights in In October, Executive Director Kerim Yildiz and his assistant Char- the Kurdish regions, while gain- lotte Alfred attended the annual OSCE human dimension implementa- ing experience of working in a tion meeting in Warsaw, Poland. They attended working sessions on the London-based NGO. Serpil was rule of law, democratic institutions, and freedom of expression. KHRP also involved in much-valued submitted written statements on several of the sessions, and gave an translations and various other oral presentation on freedom of expression in Turkey. These are avail- projects, including preparation able online on theOSCE website at: for an Internally Displaced Per- http://www.osce.org/conferences/hdim_2007.html?page=docume sons round-table discussion at- nts&author_id=134 tended by KHRP in Van. She concluded her time at KHRP on 14 November with a ABOVE: Morten Thorsted, Resource KHRP Executive Director and Deputy Director moving presentation on the work Development Contractor BENEATH: Ingrid Tamborin Conduct number of Briefings and Interviews in USA that she had undertaken and her feelings and experiences of her today and therefore the impor- Executive Director Kerim Yildiz travelled to New York in October to meet with the President of the Open Society Institute (OSI), and the di- time at KHRP. She explained that tance of the new Fellowship. To rector of Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the the tolerance she experienced in mark her departure, Serpil has OSI focused on law reform activities, particularly the protection of hu- London was refreshing and she contributed an article to this issue man rights, and the development of legal capacity worldwide. He also described her Kurdish identity as of Newsline. met with David L. Phillips, who recently authored the National Commit- being an advantage for the first KHRP also bade farewell this tee on American Foreign Policy report entitled “Disarming, Demobiliz- time in her life, as this has always Winter to Morten Thorsted and ing and Reintegrating the Kurdistan Workers Party”. While in New York been the source of discrimina- Ingrid Tamborin, who have been he was interviewed several times, including by renowned US journalist tion for Kurds in Turkey – “you with KHRP for over a year as in- Amy Goodman on the program ‘Democracy Now’ shown on the US TV enjoy your Kurdishness at KHRP. terns and then, contractors. KHRP Pacifica Network. Mr Yildiz had further discussions on developments in My identity is not a burden for is extremely grateful for their the Kurdish regions with UN officials from the media body United Na- me here” she said. Serpil’s work at contributions to Resource Centre tions Television and Video (UNTV) and other journalists. KHRP not only provided us with development (Morten) and the In November Deputy Director Rachel Bernu travelled to Washington, D.C. where she met with NGO representatives, the State Department her invaluable knowledge, but anniversary photo book project and the office of Senator Hillary Clinton, to update them on KHRP’s work truly brought home to KHRP the (Ingrid), and wishes them the very and on the current situation in the Kurdish regions. reality of being Kurdish in Turkey best in their future endeavours. 7 Syrian Forces Open Fire on Kurdish Demo Dispatches Killing Protestor Syrian forces opened fire on a demonstration held on 2 November in the north-eastern Syrian city of Qam- SPREADING THE WORD ishli, killing at least one and wounding five, according to a Kurdish official. KHRP Widely Sought by Media to Comment on Turkey-Iraq The demonstration, attended by approximately 200 Border Crisis Kurds, was organised in response the recent threats of KHRP has once again proven to be the first port of call for reliable and objec- incursions by the Turkish army in Kurdistan, Iraq. tive information on the Kurdish regions having made several appearances in the According to the eyewitness reports the protest press and media this autumn and winter, with several members of KHRP featured began peacefully with demonstrators chanting Kurd- in interviews and panel discussions. ish songs and slogans, until security forces began to Deputy Director, Rachel Bernu, was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on Mon- disrupt the gathering. Syrian forces used tear gas and day 22nd October by Phil Williams for a news feature on escalating tensions in water cannons to disperse the demonstration, eventu- Turkey. On Tuesday 23rd October she was also interviewed by Press TV, an Eng- ally firing live rounds into the crowd. lish language international television news channel based in Tehran. The Syrian forces claim they were responding to Chairman of KHRP, Mark Muller QC, appeared on Al- rocks hurled at them by Kurdish demonstrators. Kurd- Jazeera on Tuesday 30th October, in an edition of the Riz ish activist Machal Jammo told the international media Khan show analysing the relationship between Turkey and that protesters threw stones only in response to the at- the PKK alongside political risk analyst Gül Berna Özcan. The tack by the police. show is available on al-Jazeera’s YouTube page: http://www. Five demonstrators were injured, and two are still in youtube.com/watch?v=z3fWpE3F-lg a grave condition. At least one man, Issa Khalil Hussein, A letter by Kerim Yildiz , Executive Director of the KHRP, 24, was killed. His body was delivered to Kurdish offi- was published in the Financial Times on Wednesday 31st Oc- cials the following day by the Syrian forces. Thousands tober, under the title ‘Turkish incursions would worsen Iraq of Kurds attended Hussein’s funeral on 3 November. The funeral passed without incident despite a heavy instability’ (see the letters section of www.ft.com). Mr Yildiz security presence. There were reports of disturbances Mark Muller on Al Jazeera, was also interviewed by Gulan magazine, a weekly political 30 October 2007 in Aleppo, and police quickly halted a number of small magazine based in Erbil, and the media line (www.themedia- protests. line.org) a non-profit news organisation focusing on the Middle East. On the day of the demonstration dozens of Kurds On Thursday 1st November, KHRP Turkey and Iraq Desk Officer, Mustafa were arrested in Syria. So far no information has been Gündoğdu, took part in a panel discussion for the online channel ’18 doughty given as to the situation of these detainees. street.com’ on the topic ‘The Kurdish Conundrum: Does it mean stability or disor- Kurdish Progressive Democrat Party secretary gen- der for the Middle East?’. He featured alongside presenter Alan Mendoza, Henry eral, Abdul Aziz Dawi, whose party is officially banned Jackson Society, and panellists Robert Lowe, Manager of the Middle East Pro- in Syria but is tolerated in practice, condemned the Syr- gramme at Chatham House and Dr. Onur Çetin, UK Representative of ARI Move- ian authorities for attacking a peaceful demonstration ment in Turkey. as “completely unjustifiable.” “The Kurdish parties have called for calm because the situation in the region is very tense,” he said. KHRP Promotes its Intern Programme at the University of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has been the only Westminster and SOAS Arab leader to openly support Turkey’s threats to con- On 9 October KHRP’s Resources and Communications Coordinator, Walter duct operations in Kurdistan, Iraq. Since the late ninties Jayawardene and Research Intern, Amy Pepper attended an International NGO Ankara and Damascus have forged an ever-strengthen- Working Brunch organised by the Community Volunteering Unit at the University ing relationship as the Kurdistan Regional Government of Westminster in Marylebone. in Iraq has developed. The working brunch was designed to give potential employers of volunteers The riots on 2 November reindled memories of 2004 the opportunity to speak about their work and the part that volunteers play in when 30 Kurds were killed in Qamishli during clashes their organisations. While the focus of the event was volunteering abroad, KHRP with security forces which then spread across the Kurd- participated as an organisation that recruits a large proportion of its interns and ish region of Syria. Qamishli has been the centre of volunteers from abroad or from the international student population in the UK. anti-government activities for several years. The state The brunch gave students the opportunity to network with employers and peo- response to this recent demonstration highlights the ple interested in voluntary work and to gain more specific information about the policy of oppression and denial of Kurdish identity by benefits of volunteering with particular organisations. the Syrian government. On 13 November 2007 KHRP Legal interns Sara Capogna and Marina Since the Ba’athist regime took over in Syria in Themistocleous attended the NGO Volunteering Fair organised by the School of 1969, the Arabization of the country has deprived its Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Careers Centre. one million Kurdish inhabitants of their basic human The fair provided students with the opportunity to meet local and internation- rights. Tens of thousands of Syrian Kurds remain ef- al NGOs and charities and gain information about the benefits of volunteering or fectively stateless and as such continue to be denied undertaking internships with particular organisations. KHRP was very pleased to equal access to social and economic rights. This recent see that many students were already familiar with the organisation and our work onslaught on Kurdish demonstration in al-Qamishli in- in the field of human rights. dicates yet again the measures that the Syrian govern- KHRP was pleased with the high level of interest in volunteering with the or- ment will take in order to suppress Kurdish collective ganisation expressed at both universities. identity and human rights. 8 EU Releases Annual Progress Report on Turkey The latest Annual Progress erty. The Commission also em- ports of torture and ill-treat- prehensive strategy to achieve Report on Turkey was pub- phasised that a considerable ment in Turkey continue, and economic and social develop- lished on 6 November by the number of ECtHR judgments also noted the widespread ment in the region, and to cre- European Commission on are still awaiting enforcement, problems of violence against ate the conditions required Enlargement. It stated that including legal restrictions on women, honour killings, and for the Kurdish population to “no major issue had been ad- freedom of expression. early and forced marriages. dressed and significant prob- The severe limitations of The report criticized Turkey enjoy full rights and freedoms. lems persist”. Serious con- freedom of expression in Tur- for lacking an overall national The Commission also pointed cern was expressed that the key were acknowledged in strategy to address the issue out that the armed forces con- number of new applications to the report and the Commis- of Internally Displaced Per- tinue to exercise significant the ECtHR from 1 September sion highlighted the climate sons (IDPs). A complete lack political influence in Turkey, 2006 to 31 August 2007 had of self-censorship endemic in of progress was also reported particularly referring to senior risen from the same period in Turkey, as a result of the judi- in the sphere of minority and members of the armed forces the previous year. The report cial proceedings and threats cultural rights. also noted that more than two facing human rights defend- The report addressed the who have stepped up their thirds of these applications re- ers, journalists and academics. situation in the south-east, public comments on domestic ferred to the right to a fair trial The report did not shy from observing that no effort had and foreign policy questions, and the protection of prop- addressing concerns that re- been made to develop a com- including the Kurdish issue. Turkish Foreign Minister visits Iran

Turkish Foreign Minister, earlier in October. Both the President of Iran, cal was called into question Ali Babacan, visited Iran on 28 While acknowledging the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and by subsequent comments October, to encourage Iran’s harmful effects of PKK ac- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- by Iranian Foreign Minister continued support of military tivities on Iranian, Iraqi and Maliki have stressed to Turkey Manouchehr Mottaki. Talking action against the PKK. Turkey Turkish interests, leaders of that military action is not the about the issue he remarked claims that it has exhausted both Iran and Iraq remain sup- only option. In discussions “there are various ways of go- peaceful means of solving the portive of a peaceful solution with Iraqi President Jalal Tala- ing about this. We hope our problem of the PKK. However to the crisis. Turkish officials bani, Ahmadinejad expressed cooperation will allow us to Iran urged that further dip- are keen to gain support for support for a crackdown on solve this problem as soon as lomatic measures be taken, military measures. Babacan the PKK, but stressed the im- possible.” Iran’s true position before Turkey resorted to mili- stated that “the Turkish peo- portance of a peaceful ap- is particularly uncertain given tary action. The Iranian gov- ple have lost their patience... proach to solving the prob- its ongoing shelling of posi- ernment’s position appears we are asking all our friends to lem. tions on both sides of the Iran- to follow statements by Iraqi support us in this endeavour, Whether Iranian opposition Iraq border over the past few Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki our fight against terrorism.” to military action is unequivo- months. KHRP under Consideration for United Nations Consultative Status The United Nations Commit- to make a contribution to the new items for consideration transparent decision-making tee on Non-Governmental Or- work programmes and goals of by the ECOSOC. Organisations processes. The basic resources ganisations is to hold a Regular the United Nations by serving as granted status are also invited of the organisation must be Session in New York in January technical experts, advisers and to attend international confer- derived in the main part from 2008 during which KHRP’s ap- consultants to governments ences called by the UN, General contributions of the national af- plication for consultative status and Secretariat. Sometimes, as Assembly special sessions, and filiates or other components or which was submitted in the advocacy groups, they espouse other intergovernmental bod- from individual members. Cel- summer of 2007 shall be dis- UN themes, implementing ies. ebrating our 15 year anniver- cussed. plans of action, programmes To be eligible for consulta- sary at the end of 2007 and re- Non-governmental, non- and declarations adopted by tive status, an NGO must have maining the only non-partisan, profit public or voluntary organ- the United Nations. In concrete been in existence (officially multi-disciplinary organisation isations may be admitted into a terms this entails their partici- registered with the appropriate addressing human rights issues mutually beneficial working re- pation in ECOSOC and its vari- government authorities as an in the Kurdish regions, KHRP is lationship with the United Na- ous subsidiary bodies through NGO/non-profit) for at least two more than eligible for consulta- tions by attaining consultative attendance at these meetings, years, must have an established tive status and would bring status with the Economic and and also through oral interven- headquarters, a democratically much expertise to a working Social Council. Currently there tions and written statements on adopted constitution, author- relationship with the UN. The are 3051 NGOs in consultative agenda items of those bodies. ity to speak for its members, a outcome of the January session status with the Economic and In addition, organisations, qual- representative structure, appro- will be reported on the KHRP Social Council (ECOSOC). Quali- ifying for General Category con- priate mechanisms of account- website. fying organisations are entitled sultative status, may propose ability and democratic and 9 Fourth International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds, European Parliament, Brussels, 3-4 December 2007

Abdullah Demirbaş, former mayor of Anoush Begoyan of Article 19. Sur district in Diyarbakir.

Delfina Entrecanales with Kerim Yildiz during day two of the conference.

Estella Schmidt of KNK (centre) engaged in lively discussion during the fourth session.

Dr. Clem McCartney,an expert on conflict resolution and one of the speakers in Conference delegates Cengiz Gulec and Susan Breau. the fourth session. 10 KHRP Travels to Kurdistan, Iraq, for Fact-finding and Training, November 2007

At the training session - L-R Olivia Kraus,Johanna Nykanen,Sarteep Ali,Taniel Kerim Yildiz and Johanna Nykanen in the Sersenk district. Note area in the Taysi,Janet Benshoof,Kerim Yildiz,Atta Muhammad,Catriona Vine. background; farmland scorched after Turkish bombardment.

Kerim Yildiz with Dr.Yousif Aziz, KRG Minister for Human Rights. At the training session - Atta Muhammad (Director General of Civilization Devel- opment Organnisation, CDO) with Kerim Yildiz.

In Sersenk district with Chaldean Christian victims of Turkish shelling. Kerim Yildiz with human rights lawyer Ms Xamar Zror Asad and the head of the Kurdish Parliamentary Human Rights Committee.

In Sersenk district with Kurdish Muslim villagers and victims of Turkish At the Union of Kurdish Writers in Dohuk. Left to right - Kerim Yildiz, Johanna bombardment. Nykanen, Secretary Mr. Mizuri,President Mr. Silevani. 11 2007: A Year of Continued Violations of Kurdish Cultural and Linguistic Rights in Turkey By Serpil Taşkan, and Azadiya Welat. They con- the PKK by using the Kurdish the subject of such difficul- KHRP Fellow tinue to face either closure or language during meetings. ties even when are organ- Turkey’s human rights suspension for anything from This is one the basic ized by non-political cultural record is an important issue fifteen days to one month, claims used to obstruct organisations. In January on the international agenda. due to claims that they pub- Kurds’ celebrations. Accord- 2007, for example, the mayor Not only did Turkey sign the lish separatist propaganda. ing to the Kurdish web site of Bingöl refused to stage a Universal Declaration of Hu- The Supreme Commission of www.rojciwan.com , over 50 Kurdish play written by the man Rights in 1949, just a Radio and Television closed people were arrested during Diyarbakır -based Dicle-Fırat year after its adoption by the Istanbul-based radio station the last Newroz celebrations Culture Centre. Another United Nations, it is also party Anadolunun Sesi (Voice of in fifteen different places. Bi- theatre, Arsen Poladof in Bat- to several other conventions, Anatolia), for example, on anet, however, quotes the far man, could not embark on including the International charges of ‘leading people to higher figure of 138 arrests. their tour because of opera- Covenant on Economic, So- violence, ethnic discrimina- The claim of propagating tions and army activities in cial and Cultural Rights and tion and hostility’. and/or helping ‘terrorist or- the region and restrictions the European Convention on Punishment of some of ganizations’, has been used on the movement imposed Human Rights. the members of the pro- to violate the freedom to by the armed forces. Turkey thus has obliga- Kurdish Democratic Society meet and to demonstrate. A more extreme example tions under international law Party (DTP) under several ar- The Diyarbakır Office of the is the decision of the Ad- to protect human rights on ticles of the Turkish Penal Public Prosecutor, for in- ministrative District Court an equal basis, regardless of Code for describing Abdul- stance, called for fifteen-year of Diyarbakır which, on the ethnic, religious, linguistic, lah Öcalan as ‘esteemed’ in imprisonments of 56 DTP basis of an objection by the gender and regional differ- their speeches, indicates the municipal mayors because Diyarbakır Governor, can- ences. The European Union- limits on freedom of expres- of a letter they sent to the celled the decision allowing which regards human rights sion for Kurds. Investigations President of Denmark, op- the display of villages’ origi- in Turkey as an important against Kurdish politicians posing the ban on Roj TV, the nal Kurdish names in addi- prerequisite for EU accession Osman Baydemir, mayor of Danish-based Kurdish tel- tion to Turkish ones. – has reported that legisla- Diyarbakır City Municipal- evision channel. The authori- Turkey has demonstrated tive progress on political re- ity, and Abdulmelik Fırat, ties claim the mayors were that it is unwilling to take form has been achieved in former chairman of Hak-Par voluntarily and consciously steps to improve legal and Turkey. However, the EU also (another pro-Kurdish politi- helping a terrorist organiza- social frameworks that would reports the failure of Turkey cal party), and many other tion. Another high-profile provide an environment fa- to broaden these reforms so DTP members were initi- investigation was started by vourable to the promotion as to promote fundamental ated because of their use of the Diyarbakır Office of the of human rights. This means freedoms and the protection the Kurdish language in Public Prosecutor into 54 that the Kurdish population of human rights. celebration cards, posters, DTP mayors following a press still suffers from discrimina- The Kurds are among the and press statements mark- statement they released tory legal practices not only groups who disproportion- ing Newroz or other cultural about the alleged poisoning in the political and social ately feel the effects of this events. These, it was claimed, of Abdullah Öcalan. The ac- spheres, but also in that of flawed human rights struc- violated the Law on the Ac- cusations were filed against culture and language. Kurd- ture. Restrictions on cultural ceptance and Application of 107 people who contrib- ish MP’s presence in Parlia- and linguistic rights are es- Turkish Words and the Law uted to a press statement in ment after the July election pecially harsh in the printed of Meetings, Demonstrations Van on 5 September 2005, provides an opportunity for media. This is largely enabled and Political Parties. in order to condemn attacks change; however, recent by the new Turkish Penal Law In June and July this year, against people protesting moves by the Turkish gov- (TCK), passed on 1st April violations of the right to free- Öcalan’s prison conditions a ernment to shut down the 2005, which attracted much dom of association intensi- few days earlier. DTP suggest that this oppor- criticism from media organi- fied in order to obstruct the There are many more ex- tunity will be missed. At this zations and journalists who DTP election campaign. In- amples of arrests and inves- point the efforts of not only feel that freedom of press vestigations and detention of tigations based on the same Kurdish, but also of Turkish and freedom of expression candidates; forcible interven- official claims, which treat politicians, are important to are being constrained. Ac- tion in meetings; and pres- any actions taken by Kurd- establish a peaceful social cording to Bianet, 45 jour- sure on the public not vote ish organizations and move- context in which Kurds can nalists and 5 press organiza- for DTP were some of the ments as a threat to the unity have access to their basic tions are currently on trial tactics used. These practices of the Turkish State. This is human rights. It is of vital on different articles of TCK, were justified, according to especially true when events importance that the authori- including articles 301 and officials, by the Law on the are organised by Kurdish ties change their perception 302. Three of these organiza- Struggle against Terrorism, politicians or parties. How- of Kurdish identity, and em- tions are pro-Kurdish dailies: as they claimed that such ever, Kurdish cultural and lin- brace the principle of equal- Gündem, Yaşamda Gündem campaigners were assisting guistic rights are frequently ity.

12 Captured Turkish Soldiers Face Charges Upon Release Eight Turkish soldiers were Ankara. Rumours circulated are charged with “insistent The Court put in place a captured in an ambush by the that one of the soldiers has disobedience and desertion broadcasting and print ban PKK close to the Iraqi border links with the PKK. Their re- abroad”. The charges also not- on 12 November, including all on 21 October. Twelve other lease received little press at- ed “strong suspicion of guilt” written, visual press and me- soldiers were killed during this tention or public celebration. and that “military discipline dia institutions. The ban was clash in the Dağlıca/Hakkari The Van Gendarmerie Pub- had been greatly weakened”. decided unanimously in order region of south-east Turkey. lic Order Corps Command The soldiers will be tried while to “avoid a distortion of the The soldiers were released Military Court charged the sol- in detention. aim of the investigation and two weeks later to a delega- diers as follows: Sergeant Halis Journalist and writer Meh- misinformation of the public, tion of three MPs from the Cağan is charged with “violat- met Tanju Akad believes. “the to avoid giving rise to misun- Democratic Society Party ing the duties of a civil servant”, soldiers have been arrested in derstandings and in order to (DTP) in Kurdistan, Iraq. After Privates Ilhami Demir, İrfan order to set an example for the safeguard the authority and medical check-ups in Erbil, the Beyaz, Özhan Şabanoğlu, Fatih others, so that not everyone in objectivity of the judiciary.” soldiers landed at Diyarbakır Atakul and Mehmet Şenkul are a difficult situation becomes a The trials of the soldiers will military airport the same day. all accused of “insistent diso- hostage; so that being taken therefore be carried out in to- Upon arrival in Turkey, the bedience”, and Privates Fuat hostage is not considered an tal secrecy and behind closed soldiers faced questioning in Basoda and Ramazan Yüce option.” doors. Arrests, Executions and Torture: Human Rights violations in Iran’s Kurdish Regions Continue The plight of Adnan Has- their detention conditions. in Sanandaj security office and the region, was arrested ear- sanpour and Hiwa Butimar has Kurdish human rights organi- have still not been charged. lier this year and charged with rightly been met with interna- sations in Iran have expressed On 11 November, Iranian publishing articles deemed to tional condemnation. Howev- great concern over the arrest. security officers arrested a man encourage ethnic and racial er, sadly, their situation is not On 21 October, Iranian from Qurwa. Sadeq Khaleed- dissent in the now banned a unique one. The use of the security forces raided the ean was arrested and charged Payme-Mardoume (message death sentence, arrests car- home of Fareedon Sadiqi in with having relations with of the people). ried out with unclear charges Sanandaj, arresting his father Kurdish political groups. Since His wife told Persian such as ‘enmity against God’ Khaliq Sadiqi and his uncle his arrest he has not been al- Radio Farda that her husband’s and ‘acts against the state’, Abdullah Sadiqi. The two men lowed to see a lawyer nor has health has been deteriorating. and the practice of torture, were reportedly taken to an his family been allowed to visit The conditions in prison have continue to be widespread in unknown location and the him. caused him to suffer from skin Iran, particularly in its Kurdish charges against them are not In September security regions. Below are some of the clear. Around 30 October Ab- forces opened fire on a group problems, kidney problems reported human rights abuses dullah Latefe from Sanandaj of people in Piranshahr, near and he has lost all his hair, monitored by KHRP over the was arrested by security forces. the border with Iraq. As result she said. Amnesty Interna- past number of months. On 31 October Iranian secu- Kazem Kalantari, a 15 year old tional has campaigned for his Early in September authori- rity officers raided the house boy, was killed and Mostafa release, and confirmed that ties raided the village of Dew- of Arash Abdulazadeh in Sa- Dardakar, a Kurdish trades- he still has not been formally lani and detained several men. qiz. He was handcuffed and man, was injured. charged, nor allowed to see They were imprisoned for a transferred to an unknown The rate of executions in his lawyer, Nobel Peace Prize month before finally being location. Neither of the men’s the Kurdish regions of Iran winner Shirin Ebadi. charged in early October with families has been informed of has also increased in recent On 6 November Ferzad “having links with opposition their location or the charges months. On 10 September, Kemanger, a Kurdish teacher groups”. Six were sentenced to against them. Mohammad Reza Shojai Niko from Sanandaj, was trans- one year suspended imprison- Oppression of Kurdish was executed in Uromea. He ferred to Evin prison, from his ment and another imprisoned women activists and Kurdish had been accused of taking detention in Sanandaj secu- for four months and given 100 female students also contin- part in the killing of an Iranian rity office. According to his lashes. ues. On 4 November security security officer 22 years ago. family, Mr Kemanger has been A student from Sanandaj forces in Sanandaj ordered the On 3 November Mohammad hospitalised for some time in was arrested on 10 September arrest of 21 year old Hana Ab- Saba Maliki, from Saqqiz, was Sanandaj hospital as a result of and has yet to be charged. His ddy, a psychology student executed having spent two torture while in detention. He family expressed concern over who is well known for her years in prison on murder their son’s detention particu- campaign ‘one million signa- charges. suffers from a neck injury and larly as he suffers from a heart tures’, in which she collected The use of torture and ill- a chest injury, and had been in condition. Two more residents signatures to protest against treatment of prisoners is still a coma while in hospital. Mr of Sanandaj, Shaho Koleabi state discrimination against a grave problem in Iran, and Kemanger was sent to Evin, and Faraedoon Moradie, were Kurdish women. The same recent months have seen despite his critical condition, arrested on 11 September. day the authorities arrested several cases of torture and and his family expressed grave Since their arrest no informa- another campaigner and stu- mistreatment reported. Mo- concerns over his health, and tion has been provided as to dent Roonak Safarzadeh. The hammad Sadiq Kabodwand, the conditions of detention in the charges against them or two women are currently held a prominent Kurdish figure in which he has been held. 13 UPDATE ON LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY KHRP Meets with Lawyers on Forced Displacement of Civilians at Ilısu Dam Site From 28-30 September the KHRP Legal Team, head- ed by Legal Officer Catriona Vine, met with numerous lawyers and campaigners regarding the forced dis- placement around the Ilısu Dam site. Scheduled for construction on the River Tigris, some 65 kilometres from the Syrian border by Germany’s largest civil en- gineering company, Sie- mens, the dam as planned would flood an area the size of Manchester, submerging or partially submerging some 183 villages and ham- lets and the ancient town of Hasankeyf, a site of in- ternational archaeological significance and displacing an estimated 78,000 people who are mainly Kurds. Legal Officer Catriona Vine in Historic Town of Hasankeyf, September 2007. The people of Hasan- keyf, an ancient city whose European companies to the legal challenges being ple, who have lived off the history stretches back over withdraw from the project. made to the construction land for centuries and who 10,000 years, the surround- Despite this success ex- of the dam. We also met will be forced to relocate ing area and their sup- propriation of land in Ilısu with lawyers who represent once the dam is built, is porters in Europe won an and Karabayır villages has villagers whose land has wholly inadequate and for important victory in 2002 started. KHRP met with been expropriated. KHRP the most part significantly when a major campaign Diren Özkan and Gamze was concerned to learn that less than the amounts pro- forced British company Yalçın of Initiative to Keep the compensation that has posed by court-appointed Balfour Beatty and other Hasankeyf Alive to discuss been offered to these peo- independent experts KHRP, Diyarbakır Bar, Van Bar and BHRC Hold Roundtable on Law 5233 in Van On 23 September, in defines the purpose of this in its design and implemen- displaced persons at the do- partnership with Diyarbakır law as one to compensate tation, despite having been mestic and European level. Bar Association, Van Bar As- those who have incurred deemed by the European During the same trip sociation and the Bar Hu- losses caused by terror- Court of Human Rights to KHRP Deputy Director man Rights Committee of ist actions or by due to the provide an adequate rem- Rachel Bernu took the op- England and Wales, KHRP ‘struggle against terrorism’ edy for displacement. While portunity to travel to Anka- recently held a strategy and details the principles these shortcomings were ra to liaise with representa- meeting in Van to discuss and procedures to compen- put forth at the roundtable, tives of the Austrian, Dutch, the controversial compen- sation under these circum- the greater focus was to dis- UK, Irish, Belgian, Swiss and sation law for the internally stances. Recent fact-finding cuss ways in which the legis- Norwegian governments to displaced in Turkey, Law missions and research by lation could nonetheless be inform them on the ongo- 5233. KHRP have shown this law used to acquire adequate ing question of internal dis- The Turkish government to be seriously flawed both compensation for internally placement in Turkey.

14 UPDATE ON LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY KHRP Carries Out ECHR Training for Human Rights Defenders in Şırnak On 29 September KHRP justice or social assistance. travelled to Cizre, a district The Şırnak Bar Association in the province of Şırnak, invited KHRP to deliver the south-east Turkey to con- seminar, entitled “How to duct the first ever ECHR Bring a Claim to before the seminar for members of European Court of Human the Şırnak Bar Association. Rights” following the suc- In common with other cess of a similar seminar provinces within south- in Hakkari in May 2007. It east Turkey, the inhabitants was attended by 33 mostly of Şırnak province have young lawyers (over half of suffered a vast number of all of the members of the serious human rights vio- Bar Association) who par- lations during the conflict ticipated enthusiastically. between Kurdish groups It is hoped that KHRP will and Turkish state forces. be able to continue this Şırnak was one of the first Participants at ECtHR Training, Şırnak, September 2007 close relationship with the provinces to be declared the world with the killing huge population of inter- Şırnak Bar Association and under a state of emergen- of dozens of civilians dur- nally displaced persons, provide further seminars cy in 1987 and remained ing Newroz, the Kurdish the majority of whom now as part of its Training and in that state until 2002. New Year celebration. Situ- live in the main cities in Litigation Support Pro- In 1992 the town of Cizre ated on the Turkish border impoverished conditions gramme. came to the attention of with Iraq, the region has a and with little access to KHRP attends NGO Strategy Scenes from the Kurdish Regions Seminar KHRP Legal Officer Ca- between organisations and triona Vine participated in evaluate strategic options an information and strat- in relation to human rights egy meeting on human and public finance. rights and public finance Ms Vine made presenta- on 12 and 13 November tions on using the United organised by Canadian Nations Human Rights NGO Halifax Initiative. The meeting, which was held Mechanisms and taking a at Friends Meeting House case to the European Court in London, was attended of Human Rights. During by representatives from a her presentations she pre- Kurdistan umbrella in Ertbil market. number of NGOs includ- sented an analysis of legal ing Corner House, Bretton challenges surrounding the Woods Project, Indian Law construction of the Baku Resource Center, Center Tbilisi Ceyhan pipeline (BTC for Political Ecology, For- Project) and the Ilisu Dam est Peoples Programme, Project. WEED, Sigrid Rausing Trust, Amnesty International Other topics discussed and Halifax Initiative. The during the meeting in- meetings’ objectives were cluded the Inter-American to share knowledge and Court of Human Rights and experience, establish links domestic legal action. The landscape near Dohuk, November 2007. 15 UPDATE ON LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY KHRP Visits ECtHR Applicants in Baku On 22 September Ca- triona Vine, KHRP’s Legal Offi cer travelled to Baku, Azerbaijan to monitor the situation of and take addi- tional statements from ap- plicants in cases pending against Armenia before the European Court of Human Rights. The Kurdish Human Rights Project is represent- ing seven Azerbaijani Kurds who were forced to leave their homes in the town of Lachin when it was cap- tured by Armenian Forces on 18 May 1992. The applicants have been unable to return to their Legal Offi cer Catriona visits Applicants in Baku, Azerbaijan, September 2007 homes since that time. The applicants and their fami- janis from Armenian occu- mitted that Article 8, Article case has been communi- lies live together with an pied territories including 13, Article 14 and Article 1, cated to the Government of estimated 154,000 persons Nagorno-Karabakh, while Protocol 1 of the European Armenia. Ms. Vine also met displaced by the confl ict in 220,000 Azeris, 18,000 Convention for the Protec- with the Ministry of Justice Baku. The Nagorno-Kara- Kurds and 3,500 Russians tion of Human Rights and and discussed the 2005 bakh confl ict has resulted fl ed from Armenia to Az- Fundamental Freedoms detention and subsequent in the displacement of an erbaijan from 1988 to 1989. have been violated by the deportation of KHRP Execu- estimated 528,000 Azerbai- The Applicants have sub- Republic of Armenia. The tive Director Kerim Yildiz. KHRP delivers Training Seminar in City of Van KHRP visited the city of opening remarks, lawyer to represent clients whose participants expressed a Van in south-east Turkey on Cüneyt Caniş, Head of İHD rights have been violated. desire for KHRP to return in 6 and 7 October to deliver Van Branch, referred to the The seminar was run for the future to run a training a training seminar on “Tak- worsening situation with two days and was well at- seminar on accessing the ing a Case to the European regards to freedom of ex- tended. The participants UN mechanisms for the Court of Human Rights: pression in the region and listened to a number of protection and promotion Freedom of Expression”. expressed the hope that lectures and took part in of human rights. The session was co-host- this training seminar would workshops designed to ed by Van Bar Association strengthen the capacity of test their understanding of and İHD, Van Branch. In his the lawyers in attendance the topics concerned. The CALL FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

KHRP are currently looking to increase their Board, and are looking in particular for people with experience in finance, communications, fundraising and medicine. For more information about KHRP’s activities or on how to become a Board member, please contact Anna Irvin at [email protected]

16 NEW AND UPCOMING KHRP PUBLICATIONS

Free copies of the report may be accessed and downloaded on KHRP’s website (www.khrp.org). Printed copies are available for £10.00 + P&P through our brand new online shop. Please note: to download or purchase publications from KHRP’s website you must be registered to our site. Registration is easy and free: sign up today at www.khrp.org

Legal Review 12 December 2007 This is the latest issue of KHRP’s biannual Legal Review, the only existing legal journal covering signifi- cant legislative and policy developments in the Kurdish regions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and the Caucuses. This edition covers the period from May to December 2007. The Review features news and updates from the Kurdish regions, and summaries and analysis of the most significant decisions of the ECtHR, ECJ, ICJ, UN and UK Courts. Uniquely, the journal covers new cases that have not yet reached any judicial decision, but nonetheless provide invaluable updates of the most recent allegations of human rights violations to be submitted to international courts and mechanisms. Articles in this issue address the murder of Hrant Dink, the Kurdish conflict in international law, media freedom in Turkey, human rights indicators and Islamic headscarves in European case law. The journal is essential reading for anyone interested in monitoring legal developments in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and the Caucuses.

Reform and Regression: Freedom of the Media in Turkey Fact-Finding Mission Report October 2007 ISBN: 9781905592142 In July 2007, the Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) carried out a joint fact-finding mission to Turkey to investigate the current situation for freedom of the media. The mission was co-organised with Article 19, Index on Censorship, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) and the Centre for European Studies, Limerick, Ireland in response to reports of rapidly increasing violations of the right to freedom of expression. The mission found that today’s retrogressive legislation, rising harassment on the ground and the increased powers that have been conferred to the police, have led many to regard the situation for freedom of the media to have become reminiscent of the ‘dark years’. The report thus provides a background to the 1980s and 1990s and the backdrop against which media freedom has substantially deteriorated since the reforms of 2003 to 2004. It looks at Turkey’s legal obligations with respect to the international human rights instruments to which it is party; outlines recent amendments to its domestic legislation; and high- lights the frequent accounts of violations of the right to freedom of expression experienced increasingly by the opposition, mainly pro-Kurdish media.

The Internally Displaced Kurds of Turkey: Ongoing issues of Responsibility, Redress and Resettlement Mark Muller and Sharon Linzey September 2007 ISBN 978-1-905592-12-8 Becoming a candidate for accession to the European Union (EU) in 1999, Turkey has received a greater level of attention from the international community, particularly in relation to its progress towards meeting the standards required for EU membership, including various human rights standards. However, compara- tively little attention has been given to the specific issue of the vast number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Turkey. The Turkish Government has purported to resolve the situation of internally displaced people in Turkey through monetary compensation arrangements and limited programmes for return. These measures have been plagued with legal and practical deficiencies, yet there has been no intergov- ernmental financial or other support structure designated to assist Turkey in better addressing this massive humanitarian catastrophe. This report provides an overview and critique of the Turkish Government’s programmes for return, resettlement and redress. It also addresses the issue of responsibility, both in the context of the EU and the international community more generally. It further provides a survey of the current and continuing difficulties facing IDPs in Turkey. The issue of internal displacement remains a critical one for the Kurds in south-east Turkey, the Turkish state, the European Union and the region overall. This report and its recom- mendations will be essential to all those working for significant change to the benefit of IDPs.

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State Accountability? The Şemdinli Trial Re-Hearing Trial Observation Report September 2007 ISBN 978-1-905592-13-5 On 11 July 2007 KHRP sent a mission to observe the opening of the Şemdinli bombing trial re-hear- ing at Van 3rd Heavy Penal Court. The November 2005 bombing of the Kurdish-owned Umut bookstore in the town of Şemdinli in south-east Turkey killed one man and injured two others. The incident sent shock waves throughout Turkey and internationally because the three individuals accused of planting the explo- sives were apprehended by a crowd of civilians at the scene. Two of the men were non-commissioned army officers, raising the spectre of ‘deep state’ involvement in the attacks. The trial of the two officers, Ali Kaya and Özcan İldeniz, began in May 2006 and was observed reported by KHRP in 2006’s Promoting Conflict – The Şemdinli Bombing. On 19 June 2006 both men were sentenced to 39 years imprisonment each for “forming a criminal organisation, killing people, attempting to kill people and causing injury”. However, on 16 May 2007 the Court of Appeal overturned the verdict, ordering the case to be re-heard. In State Accountability? The Şemdinli Trial Re-Hearing, the mission who observed the re-hearing on 11 July 2007 upholds the concerns of the 2006 mission. Indeed, in light of the events surrounding the ruling of the Court of Appeal and the subsequent handing over of military jurisdiction, concerns regarding State impunity the independence of the judiciary have been greatly amplified.

Freedom of the Media in Turkey and the Killing of Hrant Dink Trial Observation Report September 2007 ISBN 978-1-905592-11-1 This trial observation report illustrates how the failure of the State to safeguard the right to freedom of expression and the media led to the death of one of Turkey’s most prominent journalists, Hrant Dink. In July 2007 KHRP organised a joint mission with BHRC, Index on Censorship and Article 19 to observe the opening of the trial of Dink’s alleged assassins. This report attempts to outline the background to the killing of Hrant Dink and examines the indictment against the alleged perpetrators as well as claims of State complicity in the murder. The mission noted, inter alia, that the proceedings raised numerous concerns with regard to substantive issues, namely the scope of the investigation and the possible participation of the police, gendarmerie and intelligence services as evidence suggests that these were aware of the assassination plot and failed to take any action. More broadly however, the report highlights the restrictive legislation which encroaches on the right to free speech and provides support for the argument that ‘301 killed Hrant Dink’.

The Kurds in Iraq - The Past, Present and Future, Revised Edition, by Kerim Yildiz (in association with Pluto Press) This new edition of The Kurds in Iraq brings the book fully up-to-date in the light of recent events in Iraq, and the civil war that threatens to engulf the region. Yildiz explores the impact of occupation and escalating violence. There is an entirely new chapter on Kirkuk, which continues to be of major strategic interest to the various powers in the region. There is also a new chapter on insurgency and sectarianism that examines the motivations behind the insurgency, and tactics that are used, and outlines possible ways to deal with it. The book is a unique account of the problems that all political groups face in bringing stability to the country, as well as exploring Kurdish links and international relations in the broader sense. It should be re- quired reading for policy-makers and anyone interested in the current position of Kurds in Iraq. Publication available for 25 GBP from [email protected] or +44 (0) 207 405 3835 - Hardback ISBN 978 0 7453 2663

The Kurds in Iran - The Past, Present and Future by Kerim Yildiz and Tanyel B. Taysi This book offers a historical overview of Iran’s development since the First World War through to the revo- lution of 1979, the war with Iraq, and the emergent state policy towards its Kurdish population. It provides a thorough critique of Iran’s human rights record, especially for minorities and women. Yildiz and Taysi address Iran’s relationship with its neighbours and the West, the implications of Ahmadinejad’s rise to power and the impact of the Islamic state on human rights. They analyse Iran’s prospects for the future and how the resolu- tion of the Kurdish issue in Iran affects the future of the region as a whole as well as Iran’s international policy and relations. Publication available for 25 GBP from [email protected] or +44 (0) 207 405 3835 – Hardback ISBN 978 0 7453 2669 6

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Third International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds European Parliament, Brussels 16th-17th October 2006 September 2007 ISBN: 9781905592159 This report covers the key proceedings of the Third Annual EU-Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) Confer- ence, which was held on 16-17 October 2006 at the European Parliament in Brussels. Themed Time for Justice, Dialogue and Solution, the event was hosted by the founders of the EUTCC, namely the Bar Human Rights Committee (UK); the Kurdish Human Rights Project (UK); medico international (Germany); and the Rafto Foundation (Norway), and was supported by members of the European Parliament. The 2006 Conference focused on implementing a solution to the Kurdish Problem—the most difficult issue for Turkey in its bid to develop democracy. The Conference also focused on the need for fundamental changes to the judiciary; on the situation of internally displaced people; on continued violations of human rights; and on suggestions for compliance with the Copenhagen Criteria, specifically the obligation to respect and promote the rights of minority groups. The Conference concluded with the adoption of new resolutions.

European Parliament Project: The Increase in Kurdish Women Committing Suicide, Final Report

Having combined the observations of its January fact-finding mission to the Kurdish regions with several months of desk research, KHRP submitted its full commissioned report on suicide amongst women in the Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey to the European Parliament in April. The 120 page report gives a snapshot of the situation of women in the Kurdish regions, and discusses the possible reasons for the com- paratively high female suicide rate there, linking this to issues of conflict, widowhood, education, health and patriarchal society. The report has been published in both English and French on the European Parliament website and can be accessed free of charge. Please go to: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/expert/eStudies/download.do?file=17573#search=%20Kurdis h%20

An Ongoing Practice: Torture in Turkey August 2007 ISBN 978-1-905592-10-4 This report, which is an update of KHRP’s 2004 book Torture in Turkey the Ongoing Practice of Torture and Ill-Treatment, addresses the continuing practice throughout Turkey of the torture and ill-treatment of detainees in light of the reforms of the early 2000s. While the government has made significant progress toward reform, inadequate implementation, legislative loop-holes and a surviving mentality conducive to the practice, see the torture, cruel, inhuman and degrad- ing treatment of detainees persist as systematic. In light of reform having slowed, the report looks at the approach of the EU and the influence of geo-political strategic concerns that see a ‘margin of latitude’ afforded to Turkey in meeting accession criteria. Assessing the impact of the reforms carried out in the early 2000s, this report identifies firstly a shift from flagrant to more subtle forms of ill-treatment, leaving few traces or physical signs, as well as an increase in incidences of ill-treatment outside official detention centres. Secondly, an increasingly ‘two tier’ criminal justice system is evident, with increased pro- cedural and custodial safeguards for those detained for ‘regular’ offences and the simultaneous erosion of custodial safeguards for those held under anti-terror legislation.

The European Union and Turkish Accession: Human Rights and the Kurds by Kerim Yildiz and Mark Muller This book explains and analyses the EU accession process focusing primarily on human rights obligations and the extent of their implementa- tion in Turkey. Yildiz and Muller address the variety of groups in Turkey affected by accession negotiations. Central to this evaluation is a detailed examination of the background of the Kurdish people and their relationship to the Turkish republic. Due for publication by Pluto Press in April, 2008 Human Rights Development in Kurdistan, Iraq: Fact-Finding Mission Report A full report of the findings of KHRP’s fact-finding mission to Kurdistan, Iraq in November 2007. Due for publication in February 2008. Legal Review, Sorani Edition A selection from 2007’s issues of Legal Review (#11 and #12) translated into Sorani Kurdish. Due for publication in spring 2008. The Kurds in Turkey: EU Accession and Human Rights (Turkish translation) This brand new Turkish translation Kerim Yildiz’s celebrated 2005 book will be published in early 2008. Taking Human Rights Complaints to UN Mechanisms: A Manual (Sorani and Russian translation) Intended to inform Sorani and Russian-speaking practitioners and interested individuals on the practical usage of the UN Special Procedures. Beyond the Art of Resistance: The Kurds & Kurdistan Through the Photographers’ Lens A photo book celebrating KHRP’s 15th Anniversary. Due for launch early in 2008. 19 ifteen Y 2 to 2007 F ears - 199

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ALL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME Cheques should be made payable to: Kurdish Human Rights Project WE ACCEPT CAF Charity Card Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 I wish to donate by CAF Charity Card Please debit my Charity Card for the sum of £...... Project Information My card number is: ......

Expiry Date: ...... THE ORGANISATION investigations and producing reports on the Date ___/___/___ Signature ...... The KHRP is a non-political, human rights situation independent human rights of the Kurds in Turkey, Please send me a deed of covenant / gift aid form so I can make my organisation, founded in Iran, Iraq, Syria and donation more effective by enabling KHRP to claim the tax paid. December 1992 and based elsewhere by sending in London. Its founding trial observers and fact- Name...... members include human finding missions. 0 rights lawyers, barristers, • Using reports to promote o 2 07 Address ...... fteen t academics and doctors. awareness of the plight Fi Ye 92 ...... The Project is registered of the Kurds on the ar 9 as a company limited by part of the committees s - 1 ...... Postcode...... guarantee (company number established under human 2922108) and is also a rights treaties to monitor Tel...... Fax...... registered charity (charity the compliance of states. number 1037236). • Using the reports to Please return to: The KHRP is committed to promote awareness KHRP the protection of the human of the plight of the 11 Guilford Street Tel: +44 (0)207 405-3835 rights of all persons within Kurds on the part of the LONDON Fax: +44 (0)207 404-9088 the Kurdish regions of Turkey, European Parliament, WC1N 1DH Email: [email protected] Iran, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, the Parliamentary irrespective of race, religion, Assembly of the Council sex, political persuasion or of Europe, the national Calendar of Events other belief or opinion. parliamentary bodies and inter-governmental January – March 2008: organisations including the Aims United Nations. - Launch of Beyond the Art of Resistance: The Kurds & Kurdis- • To promote awareness of • Liaising with other tan Through the Photographers’ Lens , a photo book cel- the situation of Kurds in independent human ebrating KHRP’s 15th Anniversary Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria and rights organisations elsewhere. working in the same field, fteen to 2007 Fi Year 992 - On 16 January 2008 KHRP is co-organising the launch of • To bring an end to the and co-operating with s - 1 Uprising, Suppression, Retribution: the Kurdish Struggle violation of the rights lawyers, journalists and in Turkey in the Twentieth Century, the first work by re- of the Kurds in these others concerned with nowned Kurdish journalist Ahmet Kahraman to be pub- countries. human rights. • To promote the protection • Offering assistance to lished in English. The event will feature prominent figures of the human rights indigenous human rights from the human rights sphere, and Kurdish community, of the Kurdish people groups and lawyers and will be hosted by the Bar Human Rights Committee. Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 everywhere. in the form of advice, training and seminars - Launch by Pluto Press of new book by KHRP Executive in international human Director Kerim Yildiz and KHRP Chair Mark Muller entitled Methods rights mechanisms. The EU and Turkish Accession: Human Rights and the Kurds • Monitoring legislation, • Assisting individuals in the including emergency bringing of human rights - KHRP to conduct fact-finding missions to Turkey to inves- legislation, and its cases before the European application. Court of Human Rights. tigate extra-judicial killings and trade union freedoms • Conducting - KHRP to conduct training in Oslo on taking cases to the Kurdish Human Rights Project European Court of Human Rights Newsline is published quarterly KHRP by the KHRP. Materials in Newsline Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) can be reproduced without prior 11 Guilford Street - Cross-Border training to be held in Kurdistan, Iraq permission. London WC1N 1DH Tel: +44 (0)207 405-3835 However, please credit Newsline, Fax: +44 (0)207 404-9088 to 2007 Later in 2008 and send us a copy of the Email: [email protected] ifteen 2 www.khrp.org Y publication. F ea 9 - KHRP to organise Kurdish Diaspora conference in London Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007 rs - 19 20

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Celebrating 15 Years 1992-2007

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