Kate Osamor MP has written a letter to the Prime Minister Theresa May who argued that “Turkey experiences extraordinary pressures from Kurdish terrorism” during a press conference on the 15th of May with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The MP for Edmonton voiced the concerns of her constituents over May’s remarks that actually “label 40-million people as terrorists”.

The letter by MP Osamor is as follows;

“Dear Prime Minister,

I have received letters by many of my constituents who were concerned and distressed about your recent remark on “Kurdish Terrorism” during a press conference on the 15th of May with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to conclude Erdogan’s three-day state visit to the UK.

My constituents feel that you expressed unconditional support for the Turkish State during this conference and that you declared that further arms-trade deals have been signed with Turkey, despite evidence and reports of Turkey’s wide range of human rights abuses both against its own population and across borders, particularly in the Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin, that was invaded on the 20th of January 2018.

My constituents were particularly irked by your remark that Turkey experiences ‘extraordinary pressures from Kurdish terrorism’ and have expressed their strong condemnation of these as they fell this is actively “labelling 40-million people as terrorists”.

My constituents are deeply worried about repercussions from the remarks you have made and fear that it will encourage racist attacks by extremist Turkish groups in the UK against Kurdish people.

They have also asked me to remind you that the Kurdish forces have been the most important and effective allies of the international coalition in the fight against and defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces heroically defeated ISIS in their capital, Raqqa just 7 months ago and continue to defend humanity in their fight in Deir ez-Zor, while trying to defend the people of Afrin and assisting the people of Syria build a pluralist, democratic, ecological and gender-equal governance system.

You will be aware, I am sure, of the crucial part that the Kurdish community has played in the vibrant migrant communities across the United Kingdom and that their local businesses, community centres and important cultural activities are also key contributors to the strength of our national economy.

The Kurdish community across the U.K. make up core constituents in many areas of the country and they are deeply hurt and worried about your comments.

I would, therefore, be grateful for a response that directly addresses my constituents’ concerns to reassure and ensure them of your support.

I look forward to hearing from you.”