PKK peace group returnees back to Iraq
PKK peace group returnees back to Iraq
Members of the peace groups that arrived in Turkey on 19 October upon the call from Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan are back to Kurdistan Region in Iraq.
Peace groups that came from both Qandil Mountain and Makhmur Refugee Camp are went back to Makhmur due to pressure and prosecution they are subjected by the Turkish government.
It is reported that 14 members of the peace group have passed the border today and headed to Makhmur Refugee Camp. The group is expected to hold a press conference upon their arrival in Makhmur and explain their decision to go back to Iraq.
26 members of the group were on trial for disseminating propaganda on behalf of PKK. While a member of the group Lütfü Taþ was already convicted to 10-month imprisonment 12 others are still held custody due to ongoing trials.
Who are the peace groups?
Eight PKK members from Qandil and twenty six refugees, including four children, from Makhmur Refugee Camp in Iraq arrived in Turkey 19 October 2010 upon the call from imprisoned Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan. While they were initially released by the authorities they were prosecuted and arrested 8 months after their return from exile.
While the aim of sending exiles back to Turkey was to perform sincerity of PKK in solving the Kurdish conflict in Turkey it was also a test for the Turkey state to show whether they really have a new approach to the problem as they promised.
Although the decision by the authorities not to prosecute the peace group, like it happened against other peace groups in 1999, was seen as a gesture of reconciliation by the Kurdish side the government’s approach soon became harder towards the PKK and Kurds.
Police used excessive and disproportionate violence against Kurdish demos in which hundreds of Kurdish children were arrested, sent to prison and charged with terrorist crimes merely because of throwing stones to the police.
The group members are also charged with disseminating propaganda for a terrorist organisation and if found guilty, they face up to 20 years in prison.
Peace groups that came from both Qandil Mountain and Makhmur Refugee Camp are went back to Makhmur due to pressure and prosecution they are subjected by the Turkish government.
It is reported that 14 members of the peace group have passed the border today and headed to Makhmur Refugee Camp. The group is expected to hold a press conference upon their arrival in Makhmur and explain their decision to go back to Iraq.
26 members of the group were on trial for disseminating propaganda on behalf of PKK. While a member of the group Lütfü Taþ was already convicted to 10-month imprisonment 12 others are still held custody due to ongoing trials.
Who are the peace groups?
Eight PKK members from Qandil and twenty six refugees, including four children, from Makhmur Refugee Camp in Iraq arrived in Turkey 19 October 2010 upon the call from imprisoned Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan. While they were initially released by the authorities they were prosecuted and arrested 8 months after their return from exile.
While the aim of sending exiles back to Turkey was to perform sincerity of PKK in solving the Kurdish conflict in Turkey it was also a test for the Turkey state to show whether they really have a new approach to the problem as they promised.
Although the decision by the authorities not to prosecute the peace group, like it happened against other peace groups in 1999, was seen as a gesture of reconciliation by the Kurdish side the government’s approach soon became harder towards the PKK and Kurds.
Police used excessive and disproportionate violence against Kurdish demos in which hundreds of Kurdish children were arrested, sent to prison and charged with terrorist crimes merely because of throwing stones to the police.
The group members are also charged with disseminating propaganda for a terrorist organisation and if found guilty, they face up to 20 years in prison.
