Filipinos condemn the arrest of HDP parliamentarians!

Stop the political repression in Turkey!

Nov 11, 2016 – The Philippines-Kurdistan Friendship Association protests the arrest and detention of party leaders and parliamentarians of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey and the raid of the party’s headquarters carried out by the AKP-led police in Ankara. This latest move to decapitate the HDP reveals that the state of emergency imposed in response to the failed NATO-backed coup in July against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is rapidly transforming Turkey into a presidential dictatorship.


HDP represents the third largest party in Turkey. It fights for the aspirations of the Kurdish people for self-determination, equality, democracy, and justice. The HDP parliamentarians and party leaders represent the millions of people who have entrusted HDP in representing them in the Turkish parliament. The attack against HDP is tantamount to attacking the last living voice of democracy and foreclosing the prospects to peace in Turkey. 


The Erdogan regime’s crackdown against HDP goes hand in hand with its aggressive military intervention in Syria and Iraq in an attempt to obstruct the emergence of a separate Kurdish state along its southern border. At the same time as the raids against HDP in Ankara, Erdogan also attacked the free canton Afrin in Northern Syria which is part of the new Rojava federation that has developed into a real alternative for peace in a country that has suffered from civil war for over five years.


Rojava today is a project initiated by the Kurdish peace movement and extends across the borders of several countries. It has established and strengthened itself based on principles of democracy, gender equality, and secularism. The movement in Syria that has distinguished itself in its resistance to ISIS is the same movement that Turkey brands as terrorists. HDP is the only party in the Turkish parliament that pursued the resumption of the peace process aborted by Erdoğan. 


Meanwhile, the US and EU have raised warnings about the accelerating collapse of Turkish parliamentary democracy. These statements reek of hypocrisy.  Imperialist powers, up until recently, propped up the Erdogan regime by feeding its delusion of becoming a regional hegemon. In exchange, the ruling establishment in Ankara allowed itself to become imperialism’s running dog. It permitted NATO to use Turkey as a key transit point for opposition militias in Syria such as ISIS and Al Nusra Front. We recall that the US, EU, and NATO led the demonization campaign against Kurdish liberation movements by branding them as terrorist organizations. 


We reiterate the Filipino peoples’ solidarity with the Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom and democracy.  We unite with all the people around the world who are holding mass demonstrations, issuing statements, organizing petitions, and similar actions to denounce this latest assault of the reactionary Erdogan regime against democracy and human rights in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan. 


Stop political repression in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan!
Freedom to all Kurdish political prisoners!
Long live the Kurdish struggle for national self-determination and democracy!
Long live the solidarity between the Filipino and Kurdish people!

Ivan Phell Enrile 

Peace for Life Secretariat
3/F 877 
UCCP Bldg. EDSA West Triangle

Quezon City, 1104 Philippines

+632 413 7540
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.peaceforlife.org
 

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Published: 11 November 2016

Makabayan : Statement Condemning Turkey President Erdogan’s Fascist Attacks Against the Kurdish People and Expressing Support to Arrested HDP Parliamentarians, Leaders and Members

We, representatives of the progressive party lists under the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN or Patriotic Coalition) strongly condemn the arrests of pro- Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) parliamentarians, leaders, and members in Turkey including HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdağ. We stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people in their struggle for national self-determination and democracy. 

The arrests among the members and leaders of the HDP on the pretext of “failing to cooperate on terrorist investigation” are part of the series of violations of people’s rights including that of the Kurdish people perpetuated by the Turkey administration under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in its effort to crush the Kurdish people’s struggle. President Erdogan is using all his fascist machineries in crushing not the ISIS terrorists but the people fighting for their rights and their supporters. 

Makabayan’s leaders and lawmakers have likewise suffered arrests and trumped-up charges under the rule of previous administrations. Makabayan leaders who are also members of the Philippine House of Representatives are charged for participating in protest actions and trumped-up criminal charges. In 2006, six of our progressive party list lawmakers were charged with rebellion, sought refuge and were protected by supportive lawmakers in the House of Representatives. With the persistent clamor and protests of the Filipino people against the baseless accusation, the Supreme Court dismissed the case with finality on July 10, 2007. 

Makabayan expresses solidarity with the Kurdish people in their continuing struggle for national self-determination. They have long fought for their rights and self-determination but are continually being violently suppressed in Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq and other countries. Their struggle needs the support and help of other groups and peoples as their struggle forms part of the struggles of all oppressed and suppressed peoples for rights and liberation throughout the world. 

We strongly condemn the violent suppression of the Kurdish people’s struggle in Turkey and other countries. We denounce the intervention and manipulation of the involved states by the imperialist powers led by the United States. These should not be allowed and should be condemned by all freedom-loving and rights advocates in all parts of the world. 

Stop the political repression in Turkey!

Release all Kurdish political prisoners!

Support the Kurdish people’s struggle for national self-determination and democracy! 

Rep. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE 
Bayan Muna Partylist 

Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO 
ACT Teachers Partylist 

Rep. FRANCE L. CASTRO 
ACT Teachers Partylist 

Rep. ARIEL B. CASILAO 
Anakpawis Partylist 

Rep. EMMI A. DE JESUS 
Gabriela Women’s Party 

Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS 
Gabriela Women’s Party 

Rep. SARAH JANE I. ELAGO 
Kabataan Partylist 
 

Blk 26 Lot 3 J.P. Rizal St. Capitol Estate II, Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
Telefax: 430-9129; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: www.makabayan.net; Facebook: Koalisyong Makabayan 

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Published: 10 November 2016

ILPS-US : Support the Kurdish People’s Struggle for National Liberation!

Free Kurdish Political Prisoners Now! 

The US Country Committee of International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS-US) strongly condemns the recent arrest and detention of leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) including Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdağ in North Kurdistan and Turkey by the Turkish authorities.

The raid and arrests are repressive acts consistent with the anti-democratic and fascist line of the US-supported Erdogan regime, and its intent of crushing the Kurdish people’s continuing struggle for national self-determination and democracy. This includes the continuing detention and isolation of Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) founding member and armed resistance leader Abdullah Ocalan since 1999, when the CIA worked with Turkish intelligence to kidnap Ocalan in Nairobi.

As an anti-imperialist formation in the US, ILPS-US unconditionally supports the Kurdish people’s struggle for national liberation, starting with its liberation from the fascism and political repression of the Turkish state, a member of NATO. The steadfast resolve and unwavering resistance of the Kurdish struggle is an inspirational one, and it is necessary for all who aspire for liberation and a just peace in the world to stand in solidarity with it, including those oppressed and exploited within the United States. 

We call on ILPS members in the US to stand with the Kurdish people’s struggle for national self-determination and democracy and demand Turkish authorities release Kurdish President Abdullah Ocalan and all Kurdish political prisoners immediately.

Stop Political Repression in Turkey and North Kurdistan!
Long Live the Kurdish Struggle for Self-Determination!
Long Live International Solidarity!

Reference: Lyn Meza, ILPS-US, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Published: 09 November 2016

ILPS Philippines : Stop Erdogan! Stop the repression on Kurds!

Press Release
7 November 2016

MANILA - Local affiliates of the global activist alliance, International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS), are set to picket outside the Turkish embassy this week to condemn the Erdogan regime's on-going crackdown of the democratic opposition including the arrests of leaders of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP).

Two leaders of the HDP, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, were arrested last November 4 along with a dozen of its MPs. Journalists and editors of the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper were also arrested while major internet providers restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and the WhatsApp social messaging app. 

"We stand in solidarity with the Kurds and the Turkish people to demand the immediate release of those detained," ILPS-Philippines Chairperson Elmer Labog said.

"We urge the Duterte government to file an urgent protest against the repression," he added.

The Erdogan regime is a US and EU ally, both of which were also criticized by Pres. Durterte in his public speeches.

The Philippines Chapter of the ILPS is also seeking a support action in Congress to express solidarity with the HDP lawmakers.

Kurds and their supporters have protested in their thousands in Cologne, Paris, London and other cities while Turkish riot police used water cannons and tear gas against protesters in Istanbul.

"We are one with the struggles of the Kurds in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and every place where they are fighting for freedom and against terrorism.  Their People's Defense Units (YPG) under the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are effectively fighting ISIS/Daesh in Northern Syria, in taking back Aleppo and Raqqa, and now Mosul in Iraq. The Turkish tanks and troops only seek to cut the expansion of the Kurds and abet the real terrorists," the ILPS-Phils said.

The HDP, meanwhile, has decided to halt legislative efforts and would not participate in general assembly sittings or parliamentary commission meetings according to its party spokesman Ayhan Bilgen.
 

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Published: 07 November 2016

ILPS condemns the arrest of HDP leaders in Turkey and North Kurdistan

Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson
International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS)

The International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of parliament members and mayors belonging to the People's Democratic Party (HDP) including the HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdağ in police raids carried out in several cities in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.  The latest arrests are consistent with Erdogan's hardline policy of crushing the Kurdish people's struggle for national self-determination and democracy at all costs. 

Trying to put a veil of obfuscation on their continuing support for the brazenly anti-democratic Erdogan regime, the US and EU have again issued their utterly hypocritical "statements of concern" over the recent arrests.

The fascist Erdogan regime is using everything in its arsenal against the Kurdish movement, terrorizing and massacring Kurdish civilians and destroying cities in North Kurdistan, using Islamist terrorists against PKK guerrillas in Syria, brutally dispersing peaceful demonstrations, closing down pro-Kurdish newspapers and television stations and arresting parliament members and mayors who are suspected of supporting the struggle of the Kurdish people for national self-determination and democracy. 

The Turkish fascist regime regards the liberation movement led by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as its most dangerous enemy.

That is why it has used everything in its power to crush the movement.  It has continued to keep the widely acknowledged leader of the Kurdish movement President Abdullah Ocalan in isolation.

But the Kurdish people have remained steadfast.  They are ever determined to use all forms of struggle, armed and unarmed, legal and parliamentary to achieve their legitimate aspirations for national self-determination and democracy.

The ILPS ,an international alliance of anti-imperialist and democratic organizations,  supports the just struggle of the Kurdish people.  It is incumbent on all people who love freedom to support the struggle of the Kurdish people.

The ILPS calls on all its member organizations throughout the world to condemn the Turkish authorities' latest attacks on the Kurdish movement and express their solidarity with the Kurdish people in their just struggle for national self-determination and democracy through statements and actions such as pickets and demonstrations in front of Turkish embassies and its other foreign missions. 

Stop political repression in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan!
Freedom to President Abdullah Ocalan!
Freedom to all Kurdish political prisoners!
Long live the Kurdish struggle for national self-determination and democracy!
Long live international solidarity! 
 

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Published: 06 November 2016