Latest news with #DEMParty
Rudaw Net
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Ten dead in western Turkey wildfires
Also in Turkey DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve Erdogan commends Ocalan's support for peace process Erdogan will not seek Turkey-Iraq oil export deal renewal: Gazette PKK says no more disarmament until Ankara enacts reforms A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least ten forest workers were killed on Wednesday while fighting forest fires in western Turkey's Eskisehir province, authorities said. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said that five forestry workers and five rescuers were killed after being 'unfortunately trapped in the fire when a sudden change in wind fanned the flames toward them.' 'The very high temperatures, high winds, and low humidity have made this no longer a simple forest fire. We have lost 10 of our dear brothers and sisters. I have nothing more to say. My condolences to our nation,' he added. At least 11 'major' forest fires, including nine that broke out on Wednesday, are currently being battled by Turkish authorities and forestry workers, according to the minister. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his condolences to the families of the victims. 'I pray for God's mercy upon our brothers and sisters who are fighting at the expense of their lives to protect our forests, and offer my condolences to their families and our nation,' Erdogan said. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc later announced that an investigation has been launched into the deadly incident. Turkey has been hit by a flurry of wildfires recently, which are commonplace in summertime.
Rudaw Net
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve
Also in Turkey Erdogan commends Ocalan's support for peace process Erdogan will not seek Turkey-Iraq oil export deal renewal: Gazette PKK says no more disarmament until Ankara enacts reforms Turkish parties discuss forming PKK peace commission in parliament A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Tuesday condemned a call from an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging the party to dissolve itself over alleged ties to Kurdish rebel groups. The DEM Party firmly rejected the demand, stating it has no intention of disbanding. The DEM Party is mediating peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The latter has decided to dissolve itself and lay down arms after decades of a devastating war with the Turkish state. A first group of PKK fighters burned their weapons earlier this month. Mustafa Destici, leader of the Great Unity Party (BBP), on Monday called on all alleged offshoots of the PKK to dissolve themselves, mentioning the DEM Party too. 'Even this DEM Party in Turkey will do so. Because it is also the PKK's party. It will dissolve itself, condemn terrorism, and establish a new party,' he told reporters. The BBP is part of the ruling People's Alliance, which includes Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). The DEM Party rebuked the Turkish politician for his remarks late Tuesday. 'DEM Party is the name of the struggle for equality, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace of the peoples. It is the will of millions. It is not a mere signboard, nor is it temporary. It has reached this point by paying great costs and through an uninterrupted struggle,' stated the pro-Kurdish party. 'The purpose of the DEM Party is clear: to ensure peace and build democracy for 86 million people.' The party refused to dissolve itself. 'We are not dissolving our party. We are right where we stand, and our march continues with determination. We will never step back,' the party said, advising the BBP leader to be 'the voice of people and democracy, not of Kurdish hostility.' On May 12, the PKK announced its dissolution and intention to disarm after being urged to do so by its founder Abdullah Ocalan who said it was time to take the struggle for Kurdish rights into the political sphere. The PKK has declared a unilateral ceasefire and on July 11 held a disarmament ceremony had a ceremonial disarmament where 30 fighters, including commanders, burned their weapons. Erdogan on Monday praised Ocalan for his continued support for peace talks between the PKK and Ankara. 'We are determined to build a terrorism-free future. We are clear about what we will do to reach our goal, how we will achieve it, and where we will ultimately end up,' Erdogan told journalists. Erdogan also said that they are following the PKK disarmament process, adding that the negotiations to form a parliamentary commission to address the peace process, or what Ankara calls terror-free Turkey, have 'reached the final stage. You will soon see progress at the parliamentary level.' The peace process will be guided by the parliamentary commission. Representatives of the parliamentary bloc of Turkey's political parties met with the parliament speaker on Friday and the commission is set to be formed within days. The commission has broad political support, except from the ultranationalist Good Party (IYI). Sezai Temelli, a DEM Party lawmaker, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the parliamentary commission will consist of 35 members and may hold its first meeting in the coming days. 'There may be a meeting on Friday. Even if it is not Friday, it will definitely convene within the next week. Even if parliament goes on recess, the commission will continue its work and fulfill its legal preparation duty until October 1,' he said. He added that the commission's main task will be to ensure 'legal and political guarantees for the disarmament process.' Some PKK fighters based in Duhok province told Rudaw earlier this month that they fear reprisals if they return to Turkey, with many opting to remain in the mountains instead. "In the first phase, regulations will be made regarding the legal and political rights of those who lay down arms. After this stage is completed, new steps can be taken for the continuation of the process,' Temelli noted, adding that the DEM Party delegation, which has held several meetings with Ocalan in jail, will visit him again following the commission meeting. Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish intelligence chief, has held meetings with several Turkish political parties over the peace talks, including the DEM Party. Temelli said their meeting with Kalin was positive. "It was a sincere and important meeting. We won't make statements about its content, but it went positively. The resumption of dialogues is important for the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue,' the lawmaker said.
Rudaw Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
EU MP urges Turkey to embrace peace talks with PKK
Also in Interview Germany is shifting gears with stricter migration, stronger defense: German MP DEM Party plans overhaul as PKK disarms DEM Party urges concrete steps from Turkey as PKK braces to disarm DEM Party urges legal, judicial reforms as PKK prepares to disarm A+ A- BRUSSELS - Member of the European Parliament Andreas Schieder on Saturday urged Turkey to embrace peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and called for stronger European Union engagement across Syria and the region. Asked what Turkey should do in the next step of peace talks with the PKK, Schieder said, 'The goal is very simple. Everyone has the right to a dignified life. Everyone has the right to their language and culture, because these are not temporary phenomena. The issue is about heritage, culture, literature and such things.' The PKK on Friday held a landmark ceremonial disarmament in Sulaimani province with 30 members and commanders - divided equally between men and women - burning their weapons before heading back to their mountain hideouts. The decision to lay down arms was made following a call earlier this year by jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan for the PKK to pursue politics instead of armed conflict. 'I hope the Turkish authorities, President Erdogan, will respond to that signal,' Schieder told Rudaw's Alla Shally on the sidelines of the EU parliament. Schieder, who is Austrian, is a member of the Kurdish Friendship Group in the European Parliament - a group of lawmakers who support the Kurdish cause. He expressed optimism in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plan to work with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). 'Cooperation with DEM Party in my opinion is good. It should have happened sooner,' he said. 'If the president of Turkey calls for these conversations, Europe must also support him and tell him, this is a good step and continue on this path.' DEM Party has been leading negotiations between the PKK and the Turkish state to end their four-decade conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people. On the recent violence in the Druze-majority region of southern Syria, Schieder said the EU must take a stance. 'The situation of Druze and other minorities like Christians in Syria is very bad. We certainly must have a position,' he said. He had harsh words for the Islamist-led interim government that ousted former dictator Bashar al-Assad. 'We see that a bad regime has been replaced by a worse regime. Our struggle for democracy, for human rights, for people's right to live as themselves continues. Therefore, I view Syria's current regime critically, there must be strong awareness in Europe, we must not accept this,' he said. Fighting erupted on Sunday between Druze groups and Sunni Bedouin tribes in the southern province of Suwayda, which has been under the control of armed Druze groups since the fall of Assad's regime in December. More than 700 people have been killed. The Syrian government on Saturday announced they have reached an agreement for a ceasefire. A non-central form of governance is the best thing for Syria, according to Schieder who said that the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) can be an example of a model that works. 'I believe we need a joint European-American plan for that region. I want to say something. I have made many visits to Syria and Rojava. The autonomous administration regions can become the foundation of stability there. I try to convey to the international community and diplomats that one needs to work on those models to reach stability in Syria, Iran and the region,' he explained. Minorities have repeatedly called for a non-central government, something Damascus has refused. The following is the full transcript of the interview. Rudaw: Mr. Schieder, thank you for being with us. My first question is, how do you see the disarmament of the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party]? Schieder: In my opinion, the step that Abdullah Ocalan has taken, after several years of imprisonment in Turkey under harsh conditions of isolation and torture, with poor health and without being able to see anyone else, despite these bad circumstances, to take such a step and express his readiness for agreement and a peaceful solution, because the Kurdish people and the future are important to him, more important than the past and the current situation - this is a strong personal characteristic. Such people are rare. In my opinion, this is a historical movement. It's noteworthy that with the ceremony of laying down arms and burning weapons, the PKK gave a signal, a signal of agreement and showed that fighting is not important, but Kurdish life and peace are important. The issue is that life that everyone wants, that life that every young person aims for, like studying for their future. But a life with Kurdish culture and recognition of that culture. I hope the Turkish authorities, President Erdogan, will respond to that signal. This should not become a sign of weakness, but should become a sign that he is a merciful person and, as has appeared in many Turkish movements, is not a dictator. I hope this work will be done to solve the Kurdish issue. Of course, that is the dream of millions of Kurds as well. I want to know if you saw the PKK disarmament ceremony and what did the footage mean to you? I have made many visits to Kurdish regions, in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. I have had many conversations and negotiations with Kurds. Undoubtedly, one meets many fighters at those times and sees the image of intelligent female fighters as well. Seeing these scenes, it is indeed a heartening step. Perhaps those images, that step, will rewrite history. As always, when one is in the middle of the process, one doesn't feel it's a historical step. After weeks and months pass, one knows that this was a historical step. The opportunity is at hand. In my opinion, this was a strong signal from them, that they announced they are ready to work peacefully for a peaceful future. There must be a response to those extended hands. What needs to be done in Turkey now regarding the Kurdish issue and sustainable safety in Turkey? The goal is very simple - everyone has the right to a dignified life. Everyone has the right to their language and culture, because these are not temporary phenomena. The issue is about heritage, culture, literature and such things. What can Europe do for it to be successful? Simple things often come with difficulty. One needs to agree with each other on important steps. I believe Europe can play a role, for example by telling Turkish institutions that you too need to participate in this process. But unfortunately, Turkey is going toward a different path, as has often happened in history. When Abdullah Ocalan was imprisoned, many thought and said "well, it's not my problem. He's just a revolutionary leader who supports armed resistance. It's not my concern.' After that, many other Kurds, like mayors, were imprisoned. Again many said, 'it's not my problem, I'm not Kurdish.' Now some other politicians belonging to CHP, many journalists and artists, now the issue relates to people's daily lives. The time has come to stand up for human rights. Europe must also participate in the front line and tell Turkey: dear allies, we want good relations and good economic relations with you, but we demand human rights and respect for freedom of journalism, politics and art. Also start national negotiations with the Kurds. I would like to know what role the EU can play to support the process? Kaja Kallas, the high representative, has these conversations. But in reality it's very easy. Through a phone call you can tell Erdogan, we want the situation to calm down. I'm not sure whether those steps are implemented in that way, but if I were in that role, I would do that. And what can you do? I am a member of the Kurdish Friendship Group of parliamentarians in the European Parliament, meaning a group of parliamentarians who care about the Kurdish issue, without ourselves being Kurdish. We published a statement today and are trying to increase pressure. In the European Parliament too, we try to discuss this issue specifically with the high representative and officials of all departments. The Kurdish issue in Turkey has the same importance as the Kurdish issue in Iraq and Iran. Unfortunately, the news lately has been somewhat strange and unpleasant. The Turkish president has said they will start taking new steps to change the constitution so that they can work with the Kurdish DEM Party. How do you see this support? I am not an expert on Turkey's domestic politics. In our opinion, it's not a decent party, the question is what the alliance between AKP and right-wing parties looks like. But he now wants to work with the DEM Party. Cooperation with HDP in my opinion is good. It should have happened sooner, it didn't need to be banned. I also believe the constitutional issue is connected to the agreement. Most importantly, taking further steps. If the president of Turkey calls for these conversations, Europe must also support him and tell him, this is a good step and continue on this path. What is your message to the PKK? Fortunately I am a friend of the Kurdish people and someone who evaluates all movements of Turks and PKK positively. I am not an advisor, but in my opinion it's a difficult decision. I believe burning weapons was an important step and was viewed positively. Many people had doubts, but that step was taken. I hope the PKK and other Kurdish organizations will continue on this. I have some questions on Syria as well. As you know, the Syrian government has mass murdered and humiliated the Druze once again. Will you work on this in the [EU] parliament? The situation of Druze and other minorities like Christians in Syria is very bad. We certainly must have a position. I try to get more information. I have good acquaintances who are people of the region and have relatives there, they certainly send us information. Certainly these days we express our position. Because this brutal oppression and genocide of Druze, which we have seen in the past ten years, is something unfamiliar. There is certainly a connection. The situation in the Middle East is very different. Therefore there is important guidance. That region needs peace and stability. There should be no oppression and violence against any religious and ethnic group and they should never be subjected to genocide. Now the Kurds are saying, after the mass killing of the Alawites and the Druze, they will come for us as well. Is this fear plausible? That danger is very frightening. All lives are equally valuable, it doesn't matter where a person is from. Awareness must also be very strong. We evaluated Syria's developments sensitively, but now we see that a bad regime has been replaced by a worse regime. Our struggle for democracy, for human rights, for people's right to live as themselves continues. Therefore, I view Syria's current regime critically. There must be strong awareness in Europe, we must not accept this. A few days ago the Syrian foreign minister was here and met the high representative of the EU. What role can Europe play now? I hope all those issues were discussed, because the situation of Alawites was also in the program. I always support dialogue, but in conversations the truths must be told. I hope the high representative will express a position after these bad developments. Israel has bombed some areas of Damascus, were you expecting this? The situation in the Middle East is very difficult and complex. Certainly Israel has the right to defend its existence, it faces threats from Iran and Syria. But I believe continuous bombing is not a good way toward more security and stability in that region. I believe we need a joint European-American plan for that region. I want to say something. I have made many visits to Syria and Rojava. The autonomous administration regions can become the foundation of stability there. I try to convey to the international community and diplomats that one needs to work on those models to reach stability in Syria, Iran and the region. Do these incidents not show that Syria needs a non-central authority? A Syria with strong regions and strong autonomous administration is better than a central system. Certainly that is wiser.
Rudaw Net
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey continues strikes on PKK despite disarmament, says monitor
Also in Kurdistan Barzani, DEM Party discuss Kurdish peace process Kurdish fighters burn weapons, signal end to armed struggle against Turkey Masoud Barzani indicates willing to visit Abdullah Ocalan Parents of fighters embrace peace as PKK burns weapons A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey has continued its attacks on alleged Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions on Saturday, a day after the PKK symbolically destroyed weapons as part of peace negotiations with Ankara, according to a group monitoring the conflict. 'At 8:30 am this morning, Turkey bombed the village of Mewin in Amedi 5 times,' Kamaran Osman, a member of the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), said on X. 'Since the beginning of this month, Turkey has carried out 12 artillery attacks,' he added. Amedi is situated about 70 kilometers north of Duhok city and just 15 kilometers from the Turkish border. The area has been a frontline in the conflict between Turkish forces and the PKK. On Friday, in a striking and symbolic gesture, a group of fighters from the PKK set their weapons ablaze, signalling an end to more than four decades of armed struggle for Kurdish rights in Turkey. Earlier this year, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire and announced it would dissolve itself. On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to the ceremonial disarmament, saying 'The problem of terror that has been lingering in our nation for 47 years has, God willing, entered the process of ending.' Despite months of negotiations for peace, Turkish attacks in the Kurdistan Region saw an eight percent increase from May through June, according to a CPT report released on Friday. Nearly all 98 percent of these strikes were concentrated within Duhok province, particularly in the Amedi district. 'Turkish military strikes have remained steady and concentrated - though notably, no civilian casualties have been reported - since their surge in May,' said the report. The conflict has devastated hundreds of villages in the Kurdistan Region and northern Iraq, some have been completely abandoned. Considered one of the longest insurgencies in history, the conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives, many of them civilians. Founded in 1978, the PKK is a secular, armed group that blends Marxist and Kurdish nationalist ideologies. Turkey, a NATO member, the US and European Union have designated it a terrorist organization.
Rudaw Net
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Erdogan says parliamentary commission ‘first step' in PKK peace talks
Also in Turkey Turkey's ruling party calls for dissolution of PKK affiliates Turkey's ultra-nationalist leader hails 'historic' PKK disarmament PKK says peace process cannot proceed unilaterally PKK disarmament ceremony to proceed without live broadcast: DEM Party A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that the formation of a parliamentary commission will be a 'first step' in peace talks between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a day after the Kurdish group held a historic disarmament ceremony. 'The problem of terror that has been lingering in our nation for 47 years has, God willing, entered the process of ending,' Erdogan said at a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). 'The wall of terror is being obliterated.' He accused previous Turkish governments of having oppressed Kurds instead of focusing on trying to end the PKK's armed struggle and said that a parliamentary commission will be formed as a 'first step' to resolving the conflict. The PKK on Friday held a ceremonial disarmament in the Kurdistan Region's Sulaimani province. Thirty fighters and commanders - divided equally between men and women - burned their weapons in a gesture of goodwill before heading back to their mountain hideouts. The disarmament was a major step towards ending decades of a conflict that has spilled out of Turkey's borders and into the Kurdistan Region and Syria. 'In recent years, we almost put an end to the maneuverability and the operational capacity of the terrorist organization… thanks to our cross-border operations in Iraq and the revolution in Syria on December 8,' Erdogan stated. The PKK was founded in 1978 in response to discrimination against Turkey's Kurdish population. The party launched its armed struggle several years later. Erdogan admitted that Ankara had relied on 'wrong policies' in dealing with the PKK. 'We paid a huge price for wrong policies. We did not only lose civilians and security forces as martyrs, but the Republic of Turkey has been destabilized by the terror attacks,' Erdogan said, adding that some 10,000 members of security forces have been killed in the conflict. In his speech, he also thanked his party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) for their efforts, saying that they will collectively 'cherish' the Ankara-PKK peace process. DEM Party has mediated talks between the PKK and Ankara after MHP leader Devlet Bahceli in October invited PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan to address the parliament. In February, Ocalan, who has been in jail since 1999, called on the PKK to lay down arms and pursue a political path to securing Kurdish rights in Turkey. In a video message released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the PKK's historic departure from armed conflict and called for the formation of a parliamentary commission to guide the peace process.
