KHRAG Reports
Dialogue is the key to a peaceful solution
This is the first newsletter of the Kurdish Human Rights Action Group (KHRAG). KHRAG was found in Cape Town, South Africa on 14 February 1997. The primary objective was to promote the resolution of the Kurdish Question in Turkey through dialogue with the legitimate leaders of the Kurdish people and their legitimate organisations. In July 2010 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Laureate, and the Chair of the Elders, addressed a personal letter to the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan
Justice E. Moosa
calling upon him to resolve the Kurdish issue peacefully by means of dialogue and negotiations with the genuine leadership of the Kurdish people and its legitimate organisations.
KHRAG learnt with considerable interest and expectation that comprehensive "talks about talks" were taking place between the Turkish state and Abdullah Ocalan and in pursuant thereto PKK had suspended its armed struggle. KHRAG firmly believes that the resolution of the Kurdish issue and in fact all world flash-points of conflict, can only be resolved by peaceful means through talks, dialogue and negotiations. We therefore genuinely encourage the Turks and the Kurds to seize the opportunity to find a lasting peace for their peoples.
We are saddened to note that the Turkish state has saw fit to prosecute 151 Kurdish activists, politicians, lawyers, academicians, intellectuals
and community workers on various political charges arising from their involvement in the resolution of the Kurdish question. The prosecution is taking place despite the fact that talks for peace are taking place. We have called upon the Turkish government to show its good faith by dropping all charges against the accused and let them take their rightful place at the negotiation table.
We are encouraged by the fact that the 7th Annual Conference of European Union Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) held in Brussels on 17 and 18 November 2010 adopted a resolution to change its role. It resolved to change it role from one of monitoring to one of playing a more active role in bringing about the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey through dialogue and negotiations with the legitimate leader and organisations of the Kurdish people. We salute the EUTCC on such stance!
We believe that differences between people cannot be solved through the barrel of the gun. We do, however believe that any people has the right to defend themselves against any aggression or exploitation at the hands of another people.
We also believe that a people have the right to determine their own destiny through the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination without the interference of any other people.
KHRAG Media Committee Report
Sakeena Bock
The Media Committee is pleased to report on some of the following developments:
As part of the broader aims and objectives of KHRAG, the media committee has embarked on developing a communications strategy incorporating social media which will which primarily create a formidable on line presence using the internet.
To promote the content and discussion on our site, we including a KHRAG Blog and a KHRAG Facebook feature.
The media committee filmed and developed the Desmond Tutu Message of Support which was presented at the 7 Th EUTCC Conference in Brussels recently and can be viewed on the updated KHRAG website.
We are also liaising with independent producers with a view to develop documentaries and other media productions on the Kurdish issue. This is all subject to the availability of funding.
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TURKISH EMBASSY REFUSES LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP
Revd Esau was accompanied by supporters of a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish Question and Liberal
A letter from Archbishop Desmond Tutu was to be personally delivered by Rev Matthew Esau, Vice-Chair of KHRAG and a delegation of UK supporters to the Turkish Embassy in London, today, Tuesday 10 August 2010 at 11.00 am. However despite prior arrangement the delegation were met on the doorstep by a police officer who not only refused entry to the Embassy but informed them he was under strict instructions not to allow the delivery of any letters. In a letter [1] dated July 2010, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and the Chair of ‘The Elders’ [2] called on the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as the political head of Turkey, to use his office and his influence to bring a lasting end to the conflict in Turkey with regards to the Kurdish question.
The Archbishop complimented Mr. Erdogan and his government for the support given to the people of Palestine, saying “We regard your pronouncements as the right ones and a declaration that matters of conflicts between nations can be settled only through peaceful negotiated talks amongst apposing groups.” The Chair of ‘The Elders’ pointed out however that he was “concerned at the escalation of the conflict between the Turkish and the Kurdish peoples in which innocent young people, from both sides, are losing their lives ” Tutu continued, “We know from experience that no-one can emerge as the victor in such a conflict.” Like the situation in the Middle East, where “Peaceful negotiations are the only lasting solution to their problems, we are firmly of the view that the Kurdish question can likewise be resolved through peaceful negotiations with the genuine leadership of the Kurdish people.”
Rev Essau spoke of his shock saying: “I am deeply disappointed in the behaviour of the Turkish Embassy here in London. We informed them over a week ago that we wished to deliver a letter from Archbishop Tutu. We spoke to the Personal Assistant of the Ambassador and she assured us that even if the Ambassador could not meet with me she would be able to take the letter from me
On arriving at the Embassy this morning I spoke to the policeman who was standing in front of the door, he said he was under strict instructions not to let anybody come in or to accept any letters. This behaviour is unbecoming towards representatives of Archbishop Tutu and we take it as a slap in the face to the Chair of the Elders, Archbishop Tutu. We will protest this behaviour to the highest level in the Turkish government. Not even during apartheid when we were fighting the racists and those who were oppressing black people in South Africa did our Embassy here in London or anywhere else in the world refuse to receive letters.
The letter from Archbishop Tutu is a magnanimous request to Prime Minister Erdogan to find a way of settling the Kurdish Question and if this is the way in which the Turkish government approaches the offer of help from Archbishop Tutu then we are very saddened but we will not stop our efforts to try and engage the Turkish government.”
Treasurer’s Report
Naushad Khan
Although KHRAG has been in existence since 1997, it continued its work through sheer passion and dedication from people who believed in the cause of the Kurdish People. All expenses that were incurred during this time were paid for by the volunteers themselves.
It is important that we acknowledge members like Mr Moosa and Baran Kalay and all the other members who managed to keep the vision and work of KHRAG alive.
This year we managed to formalise the organisation with a constitution and appointed volunteer office bearers. A bank account was opened at Nedbank and work on fund raising began.
The efforts of Mr Mansoor Jaffer and his committee in putting together a fundraising strategy must be commended as it has been extremely effective in its drive.I am glad to report that KHRAG has to date received the following: Donations: R16000.00 Revenue from events: R25000.00
KHRAG has employed two graduates to help with admin duties and with the development of the website and newsletter. KHRAG will purchase an Apple Mac computer which will be used for the web development and all other design elements that KHRAG will require.
A Gala dinner is planned for the first quarter of 2011 and this should also make a significant contribution towards raising funds for KHRAG to continue its work.