A Newroz reception was held in the UK Parliament, organized by the Centre for Kurdish Studies, European Kurdish Employers Association and Kurdish Popular Assembly Britain. Over 60 MPs and Lords as well as many mayors and NGO representatives attended the reception.

The reception was hosted by International Development Shadow Minister Dan Carden and Conservative MP David Amess.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn attended the reception and gave a speech, celebrating Newroz for the Kurdish people and calling on the United nations to take responsibility against Turkish state attacks. Corbyn called for joint struggle against racism and said; “Let us not let racism divide us, we are much stronger together.”

Corbyn stressed that the lands Kurds live on was fragmented by the hand of international powers with World War I and that they tyranny against the Kurdish people continued to this day: “Here at this Newroz event I am calling on the UN. We must guarantee that the United Nations will take the necessary steps to protect the Kurdish people in Syria from Turkish state attacks. We want unity, peace and stability in the region. That means the recognition of rights for Kurds and other peoples and cultures of the region. We will win in the coming elections and form a government. We will create international policies focused on justice, peace, human rights and democracy. Too many people have lost their lives, there has been too much violence, which continues still. A path for peace and a solution that protects identities and societal rights must be found.

The Kurdish people have taught us a lot, they gave so much to the world. The Kurdish people deserve to live freely in peace. I will do what is necessary for my party.”

STEPHENS: OCALAN SHOULD BE FREE

Scottish National Party MP Chris Stephens said, “We will continue to work for the freedom of the Kurdish people. We will continue to fight for the freedom of Kurdish Leader Ocalan who has been under isolation for 20 years in the Imrali island. I send greetings of solidarity for hunger strikers demanding justice and an end to the isolation.”

Unite the Union Deputy Chairperson Steve Turner gave a speech and said they will grow and continue the Freedom for Ocalan campaign they organize.

MPs Jack Lopresti, David Amess, John Spelkar, Mary Glindon, Bambos Charalambous, Kate Osamor, Catherine West and Afzal Khan as well as House of Lords members Lord William Wallace and Lord Ray Collins also spoke in the event.