Latest news with #Ankara-PKK
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
German politician slams Berlin's push to tighten migration policies
Also in World Rojava Kurds launch new pro-Kurdish organization in the Netherlands US urges Iran to accept its proposal for nuclear deal EU announces €175 million package to support Syria recovery UN hails 'historic' progress in Ankara-PKK peace talks A+ A- BERLIN - A German politician criticized Berlin's move to tighten migration policies and speed up deportations, and warned against mainstreaming the term 'illegal migration.' 'Until three years ago, there was no term 'illegal migration,'' Volkan Baran, member of the North Rhine-Westphalia parliament from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), told Rudaw in an interview on Wednesday. He said use of the phrase 'illegal migration' has risen with a growth in right-wing politics and called it 'catastrophic.' At the federal level, Baran's SPD is in a governing coalition with the center-right CDU/CSU alliance. The cabinet this week approved new migration measures to tighten asylum laws, including making deportations easier. The new rules must still be approved by the parliament. Baran accused the CDU of unilaterally shaping the coalition government on the issue. 'I don't believe there are illegal people,' he said, while acknowledging that 'of course, there are laws that must be followed.' 'If someone came here and misused the asylum issue, then they must also leave, because those who truly need asylum must be protected,' he said. Baran supports allowing asylum seekers to enter the labor market after three months, warning that making applicants wait up to two years without being able to work or access education could have problematic consequences. 'This makes you crazy, so you radicalize yourself,' he said. Baran voiced strong opposition to deportations to Syria, citing instability and risks to vulnerable populations. After the collapse of the dictatorship in Syria, many refugees are hoping to finally return home. The United Nations estimates some 1.5 million Syrians will choose to go home in 2025. Baran acknowledged that Syrians who choose to return voluntarily should be free to do so, he opposed forced returns, stating, 'I think deportation to Syria is too early at the moment.' 'Especially for minorities, Syria is not safe,' he added. Regarding Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, he said, 'I believe his hands are stained with the blood of many people. Just because he took off his robe and cut his beard, that doesn't make him a democrat or diplomatic in my view.'
Rudaw Net
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey's main opposition leader attacked in Istanbul
Also in Turkey Kurdish leaders praise peace efforts of Sirri Sureyya Onder who died Saturday Key member of Ankara-PKK peace talks team passes away Turkey's Gabar oil field production nears $2 billion: Erdogan PKK says expects Ocalan to lead party congress A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was attacked in Istanbul on Sunday after attending the funeral of pro-Kurdish politician Sirri Sureyya Onder. Ozel was slapped in the face after attending the funeral in Istanbul. The attacker was immediately detained and taken into custody, the opposition ANKA media outlet reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Ozel after the attack 'to express his best wishes for a speedy recovery, and stated that he is closely following the process to ensure the incident is fully investigated,' Fahrettin Altun, head of communications for the Turkish presidency, said on X. The attack was strongly condemned by Erdogan and major voices across Turkey, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). 'This attack is essentially a provocation for the search for peace and a democratic society, embodied by Sirri Sureyya Onder,' the DEM Party said in a statement, condemning the attack and wishing a speedy recovery. Onder, 62, was a member of the Turkish parliament on the ticket of the DEM Party. He was part of the Imrali delegation that visited jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader in his Imrali island prison and is mediating peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state. His death comes at a pivotal moment in the negotiations. The attacker, identified as 66-year-old S.T., has a criminal record from a 2004 trial for killing two of his children and injuring the two others. 'There is no sign of mental illness, according to the first determinations,' ANKA said, citing a statement from Istanbul's public prosecutor. 'He has a record for theft and crimes of threat. S.T., who was sentenced to life imprisonment, was released on parole in 2020,' the interior ministry said, and Minister Ali Yerlikaya asserted that the assailant 'will receive the punishment he deserves before the law.' The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) also condemned the attack. 'We condemn the attack on CHP leader Ozgur Ozel. We extend our best wishes to Mr. Ozel. No attack on the institution of politics is acceptable. The attacker will be held accountable before the law,' AKP spokesperson Omer Celik said.
Rudaw Net
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish leaders praise peace efforts of Sirri Sureyya Onder who died Saturday
Also in Turkey Key member of Ankara-PKK peace talks team passes away Turkey's Gabar oil field production nears $2 billion: Erdogan PKK says expects Ocalan to lead party congress DEM Party urges Turkish justice minister to ease Ocalan isolation A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region leaders offered their condolences following the death of politician Sirri Sureyya Onder, who played a pivotal role in peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 'The late Onder, both as deputy speaker of the Turkish Parliament and as a member of the Imrali delegation, through his role, efforts, and struggle for the success of the peace process in Turkey, with his dedicated thoughts, actions, and work for peace, brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence, demonstrated a supreme example of peace-seeking and humanitarianism that was respected and appreciated by all,' Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement on Saturday. Onder, 62, was a member of the Turkish parliament on the ticket of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). He was part of the Imrali delegation that visited jailed PKK leader in his Imrali island prison and is mediating peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state. His death comes at a pivotal moment in the negotiations. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also expressed his deep condolences, stating, 'Onder was a longtime friend of the Kurdish people and a well-known activist in the peace process in Turkey. He played an active and unforgettable role in strengthening brotherhood and harmony between both the Kurdish and Turkish peoples.' Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani extended his condolences to Onder's family, colleagues, and supporters, including the DEM Party, and said he shares in their grief. Onder died of multiple organ failure. His death was announced on Saturday by the hospital where he was receiving treatment after suffering a heart attack. Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani expressed deep sorrow over Onder's passing and recalled meeting with him recently. 'Two months ago, with a heart full of hope and a face brimming with optimism, he looked toward the peace process and the future of the Kurdish people in Turkey and the region. Unfortunately, death did not give that hopeful heart enough time to see with his own eyes the bright future of coexistence for which he had struggled his entire life,' Talabani said. Onder was born to a Turkmen family on July 7, 1962 in Adiyaman province. He served as a member of parliament as part of several pro-Kurdish parties. He spent time in jail after the 1980 coup. He was jailed again in 2018 after he was convicted of propaganda for a terrorist organization alongside Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas, but was released the following year after a court ruled his right to freedom of expression had been violated.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK to be informed where to lay down arms: Defense minister
Also in Turkey 6.2 magnitude quake, aftershocks rock Istanbul Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region despite PKK-Ankara peace talks Pro-Kurdish delegation visits jailed PKK leader DEM Party's Sirri Sureyya Onder in critical condition after heart attack A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Wednesday that Turkey has set three conditions for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the ongoing peace talks between both sides, including the disarmament of the group. He further noted that PKK fighters would later be informed of the designated location where they should lay down their arms. 'It has to dissolve itself and [PKK fighters] have to surrender their weapons and themselves,' Guler told journalists, adding 'Those will be told to them.' Turkey and the PKK have been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict. Ankara and its western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially struggled for autonomy but now seeks broader cultural and political rights within Turkey. The peace efforts to resolve the Ankara-PKK conflict - which has lasted more than four decades and claimed over 40,000 lives - have gained new momentum in recent months. Turkey's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that a Turkish soldier was killed by PKK on the Kurdistan Region's bordering areas. In late February, jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The PKK responded to Ocalan's message, expressing willingness to uphold his call and declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, while accusing Ankara of continuing attacks against its members. The group also requested a physical meeting with Ocalan as a precondition for the success of the peace process. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said on Monday that 'new developments' could arise later this month regarding the peace process.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region despite PKK-Ankara peace talks
Also in Turkey Pro-Kurdish delegation visits jailed PKK leader DEM Party's Sirri Sureyya Onder in critical condition after heart attack Unfinished Stories: No winner war Erdogan receives pro-Kurdish party delegation in Ankara A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that a Turkish soldier was killed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on the Kurdistan Region's bordering areas. The incident occurred despite revived peace negotiations between both warring sides and the Kurdish group's unilateral ceasefire. The ministry stated that the soldier, Berat Mecit Day, was 'seriously injured as a result of the attack carried out by members of the terrorist organization' on Tuesday. He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at a field hospital despite medical intervention. Turkey and the PKK have been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict. Ankara and its western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially struggled for autonomy but now seeks broader cultural and political rights within Turkey. The development comes as peace efforts to resolve the Ankara-PKK conflict - which has lasted more than four decades and claimed over 40,000 lives - have gained new momentum in recent months. Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) is spearheading the initiative to mediate peace between Turkey and the PKK. This includes meetings with Turkish politicians and with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in Imrali prison, northwest of Turkey, since 1999. In late February, the DEM Party relayed a landmark message by Ocalan, in which he called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The PKK responded to Ocalan's message, expressing willingness to uphold his call and declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, while accusing Ankara of continuing attacks against its members. The group also requested a physical meeting with Ocalan as a precondition for the success of the peace process. As part of its outreach, the DEM Party has been meeting with leaders across the Kurdistan Region to build support for the peace initiative. Its most recent delegation visit began Sunday and lasted three days. Speaking to reporters in Erbil on Monday, DEM Party lawmaker Meral Danis Bestas asserted that in order for the peace process to advance, 'Turkey's [military] operations must be halted and democratic steps must be adopted by all sides.' Days prior on Friday, Kamaran Osman, a member of the US-based Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), told Rudaw that Turkish artillery has continued shelling suspected PKK posts in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling said on Monday that 'new developments' could arise later this month regarding the peace process.
