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International Conference on Turkey , the Kurds and the EU International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU European Parliament, Brussels, 22-23 November 2004 - Conference Papers Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu Edited by Mark Muller, Claire Brigham, Kariane Westrheim and Kerim Yildiz International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU European Parliament, Brussels, 22-23 November 2004 Conference Papers Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu Edited by Mark Muller, Claire Brigham, Kariane Westrheim and Kerim Yildiz published by the eu turkey civic commission, which was established by: Bar Human Rights Committee The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) is the international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is an independent body primarily concerned with the protection of the rights of advocates and judges around the world. It is also concerned with defending the rule of law and internationally recognised legal standards relating to the right to a fair trial. The remit of the BHRC extends to all countries of the world, apart from its own jurisdiction of England & Wales. Kurdish Human Rights Project The Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) is an independent, non-political human rights organisation founded and based in London, England. KHRP is a registered charity and is committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons living in the Kurdish regions, irrespective of race, religion, sex, political persuasion or other belief or opinion. Its supporters include both Kurdish and non-Kurdish people. KHRP is grateful to all its funders, without whom its work would not be possible. medico international Medico international was founded in 1968 in the context of the Biafra and Vietnam Wars. It is registered as a non-profit, welfare organisation independent of political or religious affiliations that struggles for the human right to the best possible access to good health. In so doing it supports local partners, primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, in their endeavours to create the economic, social and cultural conditions which allow each person to attain the highest health standard possible. In particular medico stands by those who are in situations of emergency and in poverty, including refugees and the victims of war. The Rafto Foundation Founded in the humanistic tradition of the Helsinki Accord, the aim of the Rafto Foundation is the promotion of the fundamental human rights of intellectual and political freedom and free enterprise. Established in 1986, in fond memory of Professor Thorolf Rafto, it awards the annual Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize to recipients who are active participants in the struggle for the ideals and principles underlying the Human Rights Charter, or who are a symbol of these. Four Rafto Laureates have later received the Nobel Peace Prize. International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU acknowledgements This report is a collection of the speeches delivered at the international Conference ‘Turkey, the Kurds and the EU’, held in the European Parliament, Brussels on 22-2 November 2004. The conference was sponsored and organised by the Bar Human Rights Committee, the Kurdish Human Rights Project, medico international and the Rafto Foundation. The organisers would also like to extend their sincere thanks to those at the European Parliament who kindly allowed the conference to be hosted there. Especial thanks are due to Stefano Squarcina, Secretary General of the United Left (GUE/NGL) in the European Parliament, for his assistance in making the conference possible. The organising committee gratefully acknowledges the following: John Austin MP Lord Avebury (House of Lords, British Parliament) Jonathan Bloch (Writer and Haringey Councillor, UK) John Bowis MEP Hugo Charlton (Chair, Green Party of England, Scotland and Wales) Jill Evans MEP Lord Toby Harris (House of Lords, British Parliament) Stewart Hemsley (Chair, Pax Christi) Ian Hudghton MEP Dafydd Iwan (President, Plaid Cymru) Jean Lambert MEP Sarah Ludford MEP John McDonnell MP Harold Pinter (Playwright) Lord Rea (House of Lords, British Parliament) Prof Philip Robins (Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford) Alex Salmond MP (Leader of the Scottish National Party) Sarah Sexton/Larry Lohmann/Nicholas Hildyard (The Corner House, UK) Alyn Smith MEP Mark Thomas (Comedian/broadcaster) Dr Rudi Vis MP Hywel Williams MP Eurig Wyn (Ex-MEP, Plaid Cymru; Parliamentary Candidate for election 2005) Leyla Zana (Ex-Parliamentarian, HEP) International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU The organisers would like to give their warmest and deepest appreciation to the sponsors of the conference. A positive dialogue, mutual understanding and awareness of the situation regarding the relationships between the EU, Turkey and the Kurds, are of tremendous importance to democracy and peace in the Middle East. Without our sponsors’ goodwill, this important conference would not have become a reality. The opinions expressed in this work do not necessarily represent the views of the conference co-hosts: the Bar Human Rights Committee, the Kurdish Human Rights Project, medico international or the Rafto Foundation. Design and Layout: Torske & Sterling Legal Marketing www.torske.co.uk Printed in Great Britain July 2005 Published by the Kurdish Human Rights Project ISBN: �����00 ��5 ��� All rights reserved 4 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU contents LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 9 MAP OF THE KURDISH REGIONS 11 FOREWORD 1 ADDRESS BY THE PATRON OF THE CONFERENCE, 15 ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU PART ONE: OPENING REMARKS DELIVERED ON 17 BEHALF OF THE CONFERENCE ORGANISERS International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the 19 Kurds: Opening Remarks Kariane Westrheim PART TWO: 17 DECEMBER 2004 AND THE FUTURE 2 OF TURKEY AND THE KURDS IN EUROPE The EU, Turkey and the Kurds 25 Kerim Yildiz & Mark Muller PART THREE: HUMAN AND MINORITY RIGHTS IN 51 TURKEY Turkey’s Implementation of European Human Rights 5 Standards - Legislation and Practice Jon Rud The Cultural Situation of the Kurds in Turkey 71 Lord Russell-Johnston 5 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU The Suffering of Kurdish Women 75 Pervin Buldan Forced Migration 79 Şefika Gürbüz The Role of the Media 8 Celal Başlangiç PART FOUR: SECURING DEMOCRACY AND 89 PLURALISM IN TURKEY Turkey, Kurds, Europe and the EU Accession Process: 91 ‘What is to be Done!’ Kerim Yildiz & Mark Muller The Concept of Difference 105 Nazan Ūstūndağ The ‘Kurdish Problem’ in Turkey 109 Doğu Ergil Assyrian Christians, Kurds and Turkey’s EU Membership 11 Matay Arsan, M.D The EU: A Hope for the Kurds in Turkey? 117 Hatip Dicle PART FIVE: EU ACCESSION - A NEW FUTURE FOR 119 THE KURDS? Turkish Membership in the EU and the Kurds 121 Michael M. Gunter Kurds in Turkey: From Assimilation to Regional Self-rule? 11 Conny Fredriksson Statement by Mr Roger Kaliff 15 Turkey and the European Union 17 Joost Lagendijk 6 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU The Kurdish Question and Civil Society 14 Osman Baydemir Is a Peaceful, Democratic Turkey Possible? 149 Ali Yiğit A Democratic Solution to the Kurdish Issue 15 Denzil Potgieter PART SIX: CLOSING REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE 16 CONFERENCE ORGANISERS Perspectives for a Democratic Turkey: An Analysis of the 165 International Conference ‘The EU, Turkey and the Kurds’ Hans Brandscheidt PART SEVEN: FINAL RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE 169 Introduction 171 Final Resolutions 17 ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS 177 ANNEX ONE: CONCLUSIONS OF THE EUROPEAN 185 COMMISSION IN ITS 2004 REPORT ON TURKEY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS ACCESSION ANNEX TWO: DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE 195 EUROPEAN UNION ON THE OPENING OF ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY ANNEX THREE: PROGRAMME OF THE CONFERENCE 197 7 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU 8 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU list of abbreviations ANC African National Congress BHRC Bar Human Rights Committee CoR Committee of the Regions DEHAP Democratic People’s Party DEP Democracy Party DGM State Security Courts ECtHR European Court of Human Rights ECHR European Convention on Human Rights EEC European Economic Community EU European Union Gőç-Der Migrants’ Social Solidarity and Culture Association HADEP People’s Democracy Party HPG Peoples’ Defence Force HRFT Human Rights Foundation of Turkey IDP Internally displaced person IHD Human Rights Association of Turkey KDP Kurdistan Democratic party KDPI Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran KHRP Kurdish Human Rights Project Kongra-Gel Kurdistan People’s Congress MEP Member of the European Parliament NGO Non-governmental organisation PACE Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe PKK Kurdistan Workers’ Party PUK Patriotic Union of Kurdistan RTÜK Radio and Television Supreme CouncilCouncil SI Socialist International TEU Treaty of the European Union TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRT Turkish National Radio and Television YAKAY-DER Association for People who have Lost their Relatives 9 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU 10 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU map of the kurdish regions B 11 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU 12 International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU foreword On 17 December 2004, the EU issued its groundbreaking decision that accession talks would be started with Turkey in October 2005. From 22 - 2 November 2004, an international conference was convened at the European Parliament in Brussels in order to consider the implications of Turkey’s EU membership bid for the future of the Kurds in Turkey. The impetus for the conference came from the Report and Recommendation on Turkey’s implementation of pro-EU reforms issued by the European Commission in October 2004, upon which the decision by Europe’s leaders to open accession talks was based. Turkey’s formal EU candidature is of historic importance to both Kurds and Turks, as it represents an unparalleled opportunity to bring about democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a lasting peaceful solution in the Kurdish- dominated South-east of Turkey.
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