International Crisis Group released report
International Crisis Group released report
The International Crisis Group (ICG) has released a 67-pages long report in which it states “Turkish prime minister should engage with the legal Kurdish movement, take its grievances into account and make it feel ownership over reforms”.
The report called “Turkey: The PKK and a Kurdish Settlement” states that the Kurdish conflict is becoming more violent, with approximately 700 people killed in 14 months, the highest number of casualties in 13 years.
The report also adds that “The government and mainstream media should resist the impulse to call for all-out anti-terrorist war and focus instead, together with Kurds, on long-term conflict resolution. There is a need to reform oppressive laws that jail legitimate Kurdish politicians and make amends for security forces’ excesses”. As for the Kurdish movement, including PKK leaders, the report states they “must abjure terrorist attacks and publicly commit to realistic political goals”.
The report further states that “The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) initiated a ‘Democratic Opening’ in 2005, but its commitment faltered in 2009. At times, AKP leaders give positive signals, including scheduling optional Kurdish lessons in schools and agreeing to collaborate in Parliament with other parties on more reforms. At others, they appear intent on crushing the PKK militarily, minimize the true extent of fighting, fail to sympathize with Kurdish civilian casualties, openly show their deep distrust of the Kurdish movement, do nothing to stop the arrest of thousands of non-violent activists and generally remain complacent as international partners mute their criticism at a time of Middle East turmoil.”
The ICG also states that the PKK has “made conciliatory statements, tried to stick to legal avenues of association and protest in the European diaspora and repeatedly called for a mutual truce. “
The report called “Turkey: The PKK and a Kurdish Settlement” states that the Kurdish conflict is becoming more violent, with approximately 700 people killed in 14 months, the highest number of casualties in 13 years.
The report also adds that “The government and mainstream media should resist the impulse to call for all-out anti-terrorist war and focus instead, together with Kurds, on long-term conflict resolution. There is a need to reform oppressive laws that jail legitimate Kurdish politicians and make amends for security forces’ excesses”. As for the Kurdish movement, including PKK leaders, the report states they “must abjure terrorist attacks and publicly commit to realistic political goals”.
The report further states that “The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) initiated a ‘Democratic Opening’ in 2005, but its commitment faltered in 2009. At times, AKP leaders give positive signals, including scheduling optional Kurdish lessons in schools and agreeing to collaborate in Parliament with other parties on more reforms. At others, they appear intent on crushing the PKK militarily, minimize the true extent of fighting, fail to sympathize with Kurdish civilian casualties, openly show their deep distrust of the Kurdish movement, do nothing to stop the arrest of thousands of non-violent activists and generally remain complacent as international partners mute their criticism at a time of Middle East turmoil.”
The ICG also states that the PKK has “made conciliatory statements, tried to stick to legal avenues of association and protest in the European diaspora and repeatedly called for a mutual truce. “
