Comments on: Kurdistance: The State of Kurdish Activism http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:18:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: R. Gates http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1199978 R. Gates Sun, 21 Oct 2007 07:21:30 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1199978 It is far past time for the plight of the Kurds to come to the forefront of conversation among thinking peoples of the world. Had the right thing been done after WWI and the Kurds been granted their own country as was intended, we would not find the Kurds in the position of being branded "terrorists" today. It should open some peoples eyes to know that there are growing numbers of Americans who support the formation of a true new Republic of Kurdistan. It is time. It is far past time for the plight of the Kurds to come to the forefront of conversation among thinking peoples of the world. Had the right thing been done after WWI and the Kurds been granted their own country as was intended, we would not find the Kurds in the position of being branded “terrorists” today.

It should open some peoples eyes to know that there are growing numbers of Americans who support the formation of a true new Republic of Kurdistan. It is time.

]]> By: Ioannis Evanthis http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1198584 Ioannis Evanthis Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:41:00 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1198584 A message to Hevallo: We read your comments and we like to have your views on current events. How people there feel about the Turkish insertion? A message to Hevallo:
We read your comments and we like to have your views on current events. How people there feel about the Turkish insertion?

]]> By: Hevallo http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1197208 Hevallo Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:22:01 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1197208 "There is no connection between the recent incident [in Beytüşşebap] and the guerrillas." ~ HPG Headquarters Command. The Turkish Army Is Responsible for the Beytüşşebap Massacre To the Press and Public: On the day before yesterday, in the district of Beytüşşebap, province of Şırnak, twelve persons, including seven Village Guards, died by the strafing of a minibus. For notice, those responsible are the Turkish army and the illegal military organization, JİTEM. Our freedom movement proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire one year ago on 1 October 2006. The Turkish military increased the intensity of its attacks for this proclamation and used all conceivable dirty methods of warfare. Within this year, the Turkish army carried out 483 military operations. Chemical weapons and cluster bombs were used, as well as the systematic burning of forests. It came to war crimes before the eyes of the world public. This war concept, which was intensified after the elections of 22 July, is a result of an agreement between the government party AKP and the military. Previously, it was already announced by military circles that the "extermination of terror" is attainable at the earliest by aiming at the "collaborators". Thus almost the entire society was set as the target. For this reason, after that, the course of action which followed showed that this method was implemented. The dirty relations between institutions of the state, the army, and the government were uncovered by the the bomb attack on a bookshop in Şemdinli by the resident population. Those caught red-handed again implemented the network of gangs, JİTEM, informers, and the use of terror in Kurdistan, in order to intimidate the population. As strengthened Kontras were used in the form of Hizbullah in the mid-1990s, so today there are more organizations such as JİTEM and TİT. The purposes of this approach are to isolate the guerrillas and to damage the prestige of the PKK. In Beytüşşebap, Village Guards were deliberately selected as the target of attack in order to break the passivity of these circles and turn them against the Kurdish movement. In the consciousness of this reality, our HPG guerrillas put an emphasis on attacks against JİTEM in their latest actions. There is no connection between the recent incident [in Beytüşşebap] and the guerrillas. We call upon the public of Turkey to place no faith in this war propaganda which twists the facts. In addition, we continue to request the political parties, human rights associations, and democratic-civil-social organizations to examine the incident, and to find and to call to account its true authors. HPG Headquarters Command “There is no connection between the recent incident [in Beytüşşebap] and the guerrillas.”
~ HPG Headquarters Command.

The Turkish Army Is Responsible for the Beytüşşebap Massacre

To the Press and Public:

On the day before yesterday, in the district of Beytüşşebap, province of Şırnak, twelve persons, including seven Village Guards, died by the strafing of a minibus. For notice, those responsible are the Turkish army and the illegal military organization, JİTEM.

Our freedom movement proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire one year ago on 1 October 2006. The Turkish military increased the intensity of its attacks for this proclamation and used all conceivable dirty methods of warfare.

Within this year, the Turkish army carried out 483 military operations. Chemical weapons and cluster bombs were used, as well as the systematic burning of forests. It came to war crimes before the eyes of the world public.

This war concept, which was intensified after the elections of 22 July, is a result of an agreement between the government party AKP and the military. Previously, it was already announced by military circles that the “extermination of terror” is attainable at the earliest by aiming at the “collaborators”. Thus almost the entire society was set as the target. For this reason, after that, the course of action which followed showed that this method was implemented.

The dirty relations between institutions of the state, the army, and the government were uncovered by the the bomb attack on a bookshop in Şemdinli by the resident population. Those caught red-handed again implemented the network of gangs, JİTEM, informers, and the use of terror in Kurdistan, in order to intimidate the population. As strengthened Kontras were used in the form of Hizbullah in the mid-1990s, so today there are more organizations such as JİTEM and TİT.

The purposes of this approach are to isolate the guerrillas and to damage the prestige of the PKK. In Beytüşşebap, Village Guards were deliberately selected as the target of attack in order to break the passivity of these circles and turn them against the Kurdish movement.

In the consciousness of this reality, our HPG guerrillas put an emphasis on attacks against JİTEM in their latest actions. There is no connection between the recent incident [in Beytüşşebap] and the guerrillas. We call upon the public of Turkey to place no faith in this war propaganda which twists the facts. In addition, we continue to request the political parties, human rights associations, and democratic-civil-social organizations to examine the incident, and to find and to call to account its true authors.

HPG Headquarters Command

]]> By: Blogging for Kurds’ human rights at Global Voices Advocacy http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1190840 Blogging for Kurds’ human rights at Global Voices Advocacy Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:45:09 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1190840 [...] Young bloggers from across the Middle East have joined forces to fight for the human rights of their Kurdish brethren: “Our first target is the media which is necessary for Kurds to voice their opinion, thus we are petitioning to unblock these voices, at least on the internet, our only media alternative against censorship and oppression.” A video showing many violent images of repression against Kurds as part of the campaign has been placed on YouTube, and a petition to stop media censorship against Kurds has been set up here.  (0) [...] [...] Young bloggers from across the Middle East have joined forces to fight for the human rights of their Kurdish brethren: “Our first target is the media which is necessary for Kurds to voice their opinion, thus we are petitioning to unblock these voices, at least on the internet, our only media alternative against censorship and oppression.” A video showing many violent images of repression against Kurds as part of the campaign has been placed on YouTube, and a petition to stop media censorship against Kurds has been set up here.  (0) [...]

]]> By: Readers Edition » Dialog tut Not - Bürgerjournalismus weltweit http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1190515 Readers Edition » Dialog tut Not - Bürgerjournalismus weltweit Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:45:17 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1190515 [...] „Featured Article“ von Deborah Ann Dilley betrachtet die kurdische Blogszene – die, obwohl über sie auf Global Voices schon [...] [...] „Featured Article“ von Deborah Ann Dilley betrachtet die kurdische Blogszene – die, obwohl über sie auf Global Voices schon [...]

]]> By: can http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1188990 can Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:39:23 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1188990 build a hero cult around a man who ordered his "freedom figting" guerillas to "clean" kurdistan of collobrating snakes(kurdish people who side with government). call yourself markist-lenininist comunist one day, change into a "nationalist freedom fighter" the other,claim that you want turks and kurds live peacefully(if this evil opressive turkish government lets you that is) then order suicide bombers to blow themselves at shopping malls& touristic areas(in 2007 mind you) build a hero cult around a man who ordered his “freedom figting” guerillas to “clean” kurdistan of collobrating snakes(kurdish people who side with government). call yourself markist-lenininist comunist one day, change into a “nationalist freedom fighter” the other,claim that you want turks and kurds live peacefully(if this evil opressive turkish government lets you that is) then order suicide bombers to blow themselves at shopping malls& touristic areas(in 2007 mind you)

]]> By: notKurdistan http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1188933 notKurdistan Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:04:45 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1188933 "One may find it ironic that she has been accused of separatism and hate when she only speaks of peace and democracy." Yesterday she said "Turkey should be divided into 'states' and a 'State of Kurdistan' should be established" She also said Ocalan was their leader. Ocalan was convicted of terrorism and was the leader of PKK - which is recognized by the State Dept and EU as a terrorist organization. She only speaks of peace and democracy? Are you sure about that? What a joke. “One may find it ironic that she has been accused of separatism and hate when she only speaks of peace and democracy.”

Yesterday she said “Turkey should be divided into ’states’ and a ‘State of Kurdistan’ should be established” She also said Ocalan was their leader. Ocalan was convicted of terrorism and was the leader of PKK – which is recognized by the State Dept and EU as a terrorist organization.

She only speaks of peace and democracy? Are you sure about that? What a joke.

]]> By: Ayesha Saldanha http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1187842 Ayesha Saldanha Wed, 11 Jul 2007 07:34:08 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1187842 Deborah, good post. You talk about the English-language Kurdish blogs - do you have a sense of the state of Kurdish blogs being written in Kurdish (or other languages of the region)? Deborah, good post. You talk about the English-language Kurdish blogs – do you have a sense of the state of Kurdish blogs being written in Kurdish (or other languages of the region)?

]]> By: Don Miner http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/comment-page-1/#comment-1187829 Don Miner Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:51:09 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/10/kurdistance-the-state-of-kurdish-activism/#comment-1187829 The Kurdish voices may very well be under clandestine attack by back-room hacks, and "deep" authorities. Those who are able to say "that's enough", please do so, on behalf of those who are not yet in a position to speak out freely. And let's challenge the labels of "terrorist" and "terror". Also, challenge the label of "criminalization" and "criminal", when the wrong people are silenced and subjected to prison. Also, challenge the label of "excuses", when separatism and PKK influence are used as an excuse to silence practical voices and good ideas. Challenge the label of "separatism", when you are not voicing separatism, simply basic human freedoms that should be universally accepted. Challenge the label of "democracy", when the label does not apply to a country of oppressors. Challenge the label of "authority", any authority that refuses to follow basic democratic, and human rights standards. Challenge the label of "turkishness", when it does not apply to everyone. Challenge the label of "assimilation", when it denies the very essence of self identity. Challenge the label of "economic progress", when it leaves out a major portion of the population. Challenge the label of "military power", when it does not subject itself to civilian authority. Challenge the label of "protector", when they are demanding protection money from small businesses. Challenge the label of "teacher", if you are not allowed open and appropriate discussions in class. Don't just accept someone's labels. Check their hearts and their souls, and their purpose, to see if the label fits them. You who are brave enough to raise questions, and those who are in a good position to raise questions, should do so, as freely and as often as possible. This should best be done peacefully, always, and according to accepted norms of a peaceful society. And do keep in mind that there are many good spirited voices that are still subject to local and national "oppressive" laws. Many of these voices are still in a difficult position, and have to be very careful what they say and do. For any of us who can raise our voices, now is really a good time to get people's attention. Just keep it simple, keep it clear (not confusing), keep it going steadily and keep it legal. We can really start by changing and challenging a few labels in Turkey. What is "terrorism", who is "terrorizing who" and what is a "democracy", and does the "democratic" label fit the one's who say they are a democracy. The Kurdish voices may very well be under clandestine attack by back-room hacks, and “deep” authorities. Those who are able to say “that’s enough”, please do so, on behalf of those who are not yet in a position to speak out freely.
And let’s challenge the labels of “terrorist” and “terror”. Also, challenge the label of “criminalization” and “criminal”, when the wrong people are silenced and subjected to prison.
Also, challenge the label of “excuses”, when separatism and PKK influence are used as an excuse to silence practical voices and good ideas.
Challenge the label of “separatism”, when you are not voicing separatism, simply basic human freedoms that should be universally accepted.
Challenge the label of “democracy”, when the label does not apply to a country of oppressors.
Challenge the label of “authority”, any authority that refuses to follow basic democratic, and human rights standards.
Challenge the label of “turkishness”, when it does not apply to everyone.
Challenge the label of “assimilation”, when it denies the very essence of self identity.
Challenge the label of “economic progress”, when it leaves out a major portion of the population.
Challenge the label of “military power”, when it does not subject itself to civilian authority.
Challenge the label of “protector”, when they are demanding protection money from small businesses.
Challenge the label of “teacher”, if you are not allowed open and appropriate discussions in class.
Don’t just accept someone’s labels. Check their hearts and their souls, and their purpose, to see if the label fits them.
You who are brave enough to raise questions, and those who are in a good position to raise questions, should do so, as freely and as often as possible. This should best be done peacefully, always, and according to accepted norms of a peaceful society. And do keep in mind that there are many good spirited voices that are still subject to local and national “oppressive” laws. Many of these voices are still in a difficult position, and have to be very careful what they say and do.
For any of us who can raise our voices, now is really a good time to get people’s attention. Just keep it simple, keep it clear (not confusing), keep it going steadily and keep it legal.
We can really start by changing and challenging a few labels in Turkey. What is “terrorism”, who is “terrorizing who” and what is a “democracy”, and does the “democratic” label fit the one’s who say they are a democracy.

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