NEWS CENTER - Stating that 61 attacks were carried out by Turkey on 5-7 May, when the PKK held its congress, and 94 attacks were carried out on the day the decisions of the congress were announced, "The continuation of the attacks delays peace and obstructs the process," CPT member Kameran Osman said.
The PKK, which convened its 12th Congress on 5-7 May following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society", which was made public on 27 February, decided to end its activities. However, despite the PKK's decision to continue the struggle without weapons, Turkey's attacks from land and air continue.
According to the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Turkey's attacks against the Federated Kurdistan Region increased by 78 per cent in April compared to the previous month (March). Kameran Osman, a member of the CPT, who reported 210 bombardments and different types of attacks in April, 92 of which took place in Dohuk, spoke to our agency about the ongoing attacks.
94 ATTACKS ON THE DAY CONGRESS DECISIONS ANNOUNCED
Pointing out that the PKK continued its attacks on the dates of the congress, Osman said: "During the PKK's 12th congress, which was held on 5,6-7 May and lasted for 3 days, the Turkish state attacked Gare Mountain in the Amediye region of Dohuk city 61 times with warplanes and heavy weapons. On the day the decision of the congress was announced (12 May), the Turkish state carried out 94 attacks in the southern part of Kurdistan. After the congress, nearly 200 attacks were carried out on the Kurdistan Region, and attacks and bombardments were carried out on the Gare and Metina mountains on the border of Amediye district. In other words, all of the attacks took place on the Duhok border."
ATTACKS DELAY THE PROCESS
Osman pointed out that in order for the process to be labelled as a "peace process", Turkey should stop its operations and attacks against the region:"The foundation of the process has now been laid. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) dissolved itself to build this ground. All party activities have been stopped. The Turkish state also needs to respond to this level in a practical way. It must stop all attacks against the Kurdistan Region. The continuation of these attacks obstructs the process and delays peace. The Turkish state needs to put an end to its 'I will end terrorism' attitude. It needs to stop its operations in the Kurdistan Region and create the ground for peace. Because the name of this process is 'peace', not 'ending terrorism'."
Underlining that the international arena should be a mediator for the process to achieve its goal, "It is necessary to follow the process and fulfil its role well between both sides. Parties that fail to take practical steps should be held accountable. The process needs to be monitored and both sides need to be held accountable," he said.
ALL VIOLATIONS RECORDED
Osman shared the information that they have prepared a report on the attacks against Federated Kurdistan and shared it with international countries and stressed: "As the CPT team in the south of Kurdistan, we closely monitor the Turkish state's operations, attacks and bombardments, and violations of the rights of farmers, civilians and villagers. We share information and reports on the attacks and violations against the people with international countries. The Turkish state must take practical steps. What needs to be done for the peace process must be done. As CPT, we have recorded and published all violations of rights.
END THE ATTACKS
Osman added: "If Turkey is in favour of peace, it should stop its attacks. The rights of Kurds must be taken under constitutional guarantee as soon as possible. Our call to the Turkish state; you have not been able to end the PKK with attacks for 42 years. The PKK has not been able to fully solve the Kurdish issue in the north. We call on both sides to sit at the table to discuss and solve the Kurdish issue. This is a great opportunity for both sides to solve the Kurdish problem, to give the Kurds all their rights and to put an end to war and conflict. We call on Turkey; you need peace. If you want peace and tranquility in your country, you will stop these attacks and choose peace. All political prisoners must be released, all bases in the south of Kurdistan must be withdrawn and laws must be changed."
MA / Zeynep Durgut