Kurdish Herald Vol. 2, Issue 1 - Feb-Mar 2010

The Turkish government’s “Kurdish opening”, later renamed the “Democratic initiative”, began with enthusiasm and introduced a new open debate among Turkey’s intellectuals and scholars on how to solve the age-old Kurdish question. In recent months, however, Turkey’s bad habit of censorship through mass arrests of some of the initiative’s most important players – elected Kurdish politicians – have caused unrest and deep mistrust to resurface in the Kurdish region of Turkey. While the ruling party moves ahead with its plans, the wavering support may ultimately kill the initiative and make the conflict unsolvable.

Kurdish Herald Vol. 1, Issue 5 - September 2009

Turkey has changed drastically over the last two decades. With respect to the Kurdish question, much has happened over the last two decades that have significantly changed the relationship between the Turkish state and the Kurdish people, including demands, concessions, and methods of dialogue. It cannot be disputed that the Kurdish people living within Turkey’s borders have more right to the expression of their identity than ever before. However, just as equally undeniable are the presence a number of draconian and selectively enforced laws remaining in place that effectively restrict the most basic rights.

Kurdish Herald Vol. 1, Issue 4 - August 2009

On 25 July 2009, the parliamentary and presidential elections in Iraqi Kurdistan did represent a significant step forward in the region’s experiment with democracy. About 79% of all eligible voters turned out to vote on Election Day in Iraqi Kurdistan’s three provinces: Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Faraj al-Haidari of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stated in a post-election press conference that these recent elections were the cleanest elections in the history of Iraq.

Kurdish Herald Vol. 1, Issue 2 - June 2009

June's issue focuses on the ever so near dialogue between the Turkish government and the Kurdish people in Turkey. Election results in Turkey revealed a new political landscape and seemed to indicate that one of the most important issues, especially for the predominantly Kurdish southeast, is the Kurdish question. Although direct talks concerning the Kurdish question have not yet taken place, discussions have emerged across Turkey following the Turkish president's remarks regarding a need for resolution and an interview with a Kurdish rebel leader.

Kurdish Herald Vol. 1, Issue 1 - May 2009

May's issue explores the bilateral relations between the Kurdish and Turkish peoples, disregard for ethno-nationalism-based policies, calls for respect of human rights and the rejecting of violence. On the flip-side, tension increases and escalation of violence after a number of events within Turkey shatter the hopes of the most optimistic observers.