ARMENIAN AND KURDISH YOUTH TO PROTEST TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Asbarez
Mar 18th, 2010
An annual demonstration at the Turkish consulate in Los Angeles on
April 24 2009, where thousands gathered to protest the ongoing denial
of the Armenian Genocide by Ankara.
LOS ANGELES-A coalition of human rights activists will mobilize at the
Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles (6300 Wilshire blvd. Los Angeles,
90048) on March 24 to demand the release of a 15 year-old Kurdish
girl jailed in Turkey for 8 years on charges of terrorism.
The demonstration, set to begin at 2pm, is being organized by the
United Human Rights Council in conjunction with the Armenian Youth
Federation, ARF Shant Student Association, American Kurdish Information
Network, Kurdish American Youth Organization and Kurdish Community
of Southern California.
"Turkey’s Kurds today are experiencing the same oppression, subjugation
and mistreatment that the Armenians faced a century ago under Ottoman
rule," explained Shirnian. "We have built a strong coalition with
Armenian and Kurdish youth groups throughout the country and are
standing united against Turkey’s human rights violations, especially
the political repression and imprisonment of innocent children."
Berivan was found guilty of "crimes on behalf of an illegal
organization" after prosecutors alleged she had hurled stones and
shouted slogans at a demonstration in the south-eastern city of Batman
in October 2009.
She is among a growing number of Kurdish youth being tried and
jailed in Turkey on charges of terrorism. The prosecutions come
amid increased political tension in the Muslim country as it faces a
fierce backlash from an impoverished Kurdish minority outraged over
government sponsored terror and oppression.
"With over 2,600 minors serving time in Turkish prisons, the recent
arrest of Berivan comes as no surprise," said UHRC chairperson Sanan
Shirinian. "Kurdish children are being systematically imprisoned
for merely singing their native songs, peacefully voicing concerns
within their communities or simply being at the wrong place at the
wrong time."
Though the Kurds represent the largest linguistic minority in Turkey,
comprising approximately 20% of the population, they have been subject
to methodical oppression since the 1920’s.
"The Turkish government and military have been oppressing the Kurdish
minority for decades, subjecting them to poverty, denying them their
human rights, banning their political parties, and waging a brutal
war on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)," said Shirinian."These
injustices should not go unnoticed and the perpetrators should be
made to account for their repressive policies."
The PKK has been fighting for equal rights and liberation in the
southeast of Turkey since 1984. Turkey characterizes their struggle
for freedom as terrorism and has dealt with it as such, clamping
down on the country’s Turkish population and using military force
and counter-insurgency techniques to destroy the organization.
The government recently announced steps to reconcile with Kurds by
expanding greater cultural rights in an effort to end the conflict
that has led to the disappearance and death of thousands of Kurds.
Those steps, which include cosmetic reforms and pledges for equality,
have been criticized by Turkey’s Kurds as hollow.
"Berivan’s arrest and prosecution come as a direct result of those
hollow reforms," said UHRC activist Nora Kayserian, noting that her
arrest came at a demonstration against a government ban in December
of the only Kurdish political party in the country, the Kurdish
Democratic Society Party (DTP).
The forced closure of the party and the subsequent late-night arrest
of some 60 Kurdish political leaders sent shock-waves throughout
the country, sparking weeks of demonstrations and violent clashes
across Turkey.
"Turkey claims to be a country devoted to democracy, yet principles
of democracy are not implemented," added Kayserian. "The cycle of
oppression committed against the Kurds is clear evidence that Turkey
is far from being a democratic state.."
The United Human Rights Council (UHRC) is a committee of the Armenian
Youth Federation. By means of action on a grassroots level the UHRC
works toward exposing and correcting human rights violations of
governments worldwide, and aims to foster dialogue and collaboration
between peoples who share this common vision. More information can
be obtained by emailing: [email protected]