Let us press Turkey to stop killing villagers and destroying their homes

An appeal to human rights protectors and writers

Dear human rights protectors and writers,

This is an appeal from CHAK “The Center of Halabja against Anfalization and Genocide of the Kurds” to ask you to help the Kurds living under this difficult situation of Turkish bombings and constant threats against the Kurdish people.

Under the guise of fighting terrorism, Turkish war planes are bombing Kurdish villages, killing innocent villagers, and destroying their homes and possessions. Until now, and according to our information, two people have been killed and more than 10 have been injured. Schools and houses have been destroyed, and even during the harsh winter conditions 113 families from villages in the Qandil mountain area have fled their homes.

All of this is happening with U.S. tacit approval and with the passivity of the international community, which is taking no measures to stop this violation of human rights. The attacks clearly violate the International law and the sovereignty of Iraq as a sovereign state. The U.S. is closing its eyes to Turkey's denial of 15-20 million Kurdish people's cultural and political rights in Northern Kurdistan (Southeast Turkey). Instead of recognizing these people’s rights, the U.S. gives Turkey logistical and intelligence help to bomb Kurdish villages and land.

Bombing leads to more violence and hate, and widens the gap between people living in the region. A military solution, which denies negotiations and a political solution, cannot lead to stability and peaceful coexistence, but only to more conflict and bloodshed.

Turkey is proud of its military actions and calls the operation a success, while denying any civilian casualties. Turkey’s president and generals should go to the victims' families and tell them that. These villagers are living in a mountainous area and lack many needed supplies, but they accept that and struggle to live their lives as usual. It is quite impossible for any lover of humanity to understand how killing these innocent and poor people could be considered a military success.

The Kurdish question in Turkey needs an acceptable and reliable solution, but the general policy of the U.S., and the international community in general, is not heading in this direction. Closing their eyes to, or giving permission for, these interventions and bombings, is tantamount to accepting Turkey's denial, which is what the Turkish state appreciates.

We from the CHAK center ask you to do whatever you can to press the international community, U.S. and Turkey to stop this violation and find a democratic solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey.

Sincerely

CHAK, “The Center of Halabja against Anfalization and Genocide of the Kurds”