A group of 54 intellectuals, writers and politicians gathered in South Kurdistan to demand an end to Turkish occupation, claiming the uprising of Sheladize people.

The signatories called on the regional government, the Kurdistan National Congress, the Kurdistan Regional Parliament, Kurdish parties, the Iraqi Parliament, the United Nations and other international organizations to meet the people’s demands.

In the statement intellectuals condemned the attack by Turkish troops in Sheladize on 26 January and voiced the demand of the people of South Kurdistan to end Turkish state occupation.

The joint statement underlined that families of martyrs and peoples of the region protested at the bases of the occupying forces. “Unfortunately - said the statement - civilians were attacked by military vehicles, a 13 years old child was killed and dozens of people were injured. Following this people burned supplies and military vehicles.”

The Regional Government did not stand beside the people

The intellectuals stated that the Regional Government and the KDP did not stand beside their own people. “After the attack the President of the Kurdistan Government actually threatened people and justified the attacks of Erdogan’s regime. Dozens of activists, civilians, journalists and media employees were detained in Duhok. Now the people and activists of the region are facing a great danger because of the security agencies and MIT agents.”

Demands

The signatories listed their demands as follows:

-The people’s demands are legitimate and legal. These are the demands of all Kurds and peoples of Kurdistan.

-The Turkish state and regime should be condemned and all troops, and intelligence agents and bases in the region where their activities are carried out should be removed from Kurdistan.

- All journalists, activists and civilians detained in Behdinan should be released, and a border should be determined for the security institutions of the regional government.

- Opportunities should be created for journalists and media organizations to work freely.

Signatories:

1. Bêstûn Berwarî

2. Behzad Silouvaneyî

3. Hindrî Amîdî

4. Behzad pîrmûsa

5. Mahdi Teldet

6. Siyamend Harîkî

7. Bengîn silivangee

8. Nîşan Bamernî

9. Hacî Nasir - journalist

10. Asos Herdi - journalist-writer

11. Husîn Bazîrkî

12. Emîn Yûnis - author

13. Jîn Akgul - activist

14. Seyid Ekrem Xalid - activist

15. Nadiya Gelo

16. Mekî Amêdî

17. Nizar pîro

18. Sêvê Nihêlî

19. zsma'îl Guherzî

20. Qehreman Bamernî

21. Çîya bêlîzanî

22. Lezgîn Nêrweyî

23. Hewar Harîkî

24. Rizgar 'Ewnî Mihemed

25. Xerîb Bamernî

26. Kawe Tahir Zahir

27. Kameran Gulpî - activist

28. D. Mihemed Kyanî

29. Bêkes Berwarî

30. Çalak Mehmûd

31. Ako mihemed Sabir - author

32. Ridwan Gulî - Author

33. Hacî Rêkanî - political activist

34. Celal Çwartayî - journalist-writer

35. îzit Cemal Alî

36. Fayiz Feysel - activist

37. Hêlîn Çîya - activist

38. Abdulla Alî - activist

39. Emîr goran - journalist

40. Ronak Ahmed - woman activist

41. Tara husên - Tevgera Azadi official

42. Mihsin Edîb - author

43. Hîwa Qadir - writer

44. Xazî Xalid - lecturer

45. Rezwan Faris Akreyî - activist

46. ​​Ehmed Kerîm Arif - author

47. Hêmin Baban - artist

48. Seyran Tofîq - woman activist

49. Kamran Alî - activist

50. Govend Omer - journalist

51. Nîşan Amêdî

52. Hîwa Nasih

53. Kamran Simo Hedîlî

54. Seaxîd Zaxoî