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Rudaw Net
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Erdogan says to receive pro-Kurdish party delegates Thursday
Also in Turkey Erdogan to meet with pro-Kurdish party amid Ankara-PKK peace talks Turkey's main opposition re-elects leader Nearly half a ton of cocaine seized at Istanbul airport Turkey does not seek confrontation with Israel in Syria: FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his much-anticipated meeting with the country's main pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) will take place the following day. "Tomorrow, we will receive the DEM delegation, meet with them and confirm our will to achieve the goal of a terror-free Turkey,' Erdogan said at his ruling Justice and Development Party's parliamentary group meeting. The DEM Party has been mediating peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) since late last year. In March, the party requested a meeting with Erdogan. The meeting could be a significant step in the ongoing talks. DEM Party delegates, which include veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Turk, have held numerous meetings with Turkey's key political parties, as well as the Kurdistan Region's top officials and ruling parties to convey Ocalan's peace message. Though the peace talks have slowed down in recent weeks, the planned meeting with Erdogan could revitalize efforts to end the conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK, which has claimed over 40,000 lives since its 1984 onset.
Rudaw Net
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran condemns extended UN investigation into rights violations
Also in Iran Mahabad Kurd jailed in Iran for alleged KDPI links US sanctions target Iranian drone, missile networks Iran threatens shift toward nuclear arms if attacked by US or Israel Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest US 'threats,' potential Israeli 'mischief': FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Friday condemned the extension of a United Nations investigation into human rights violations in the Islamic republic. 'The content of this resolution as lacking legal value and credibility due to the ill intent of its drafters,' Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a statement. He accused Western countries, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany, of exerting political pressure and "following the United States in imposing illegal and inhuman sanctions against the Iranian nation." The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday expressed concern over human rights violations in Iran, especially a surge in executions, and urged Tehran to 'fully repeal' its new hijab law. In a resolution adopted with 24 votes in favor, eight against, and 15 abstentions, the council decided to extend the mandate of its fact-finding mission for another year. The mission was originally established in November 2022 during the Jin Jiyan Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom) protests to investigate human rights violations. The Human Rights Council said it was alarmed 'at the ongoing surge in executions, including of individuals charged with offences that do not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes.' Iran ranks second globally for known executions and the number of death penalties it implements has risen dramatically in recent years. Tehran has been accused by human rights groups of using the death penalty to suppress minority groups, like Baluchis and Kurds, who were active in the 2022 protests. Tehran executed an estimated 909 prisoners in 2024, with Kurds making up 20 percent of the total, the Oslo-based Hengaw human rights organization reported in February. The Human Rights Council also urged a 'pause in implementation of the Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab and calling upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to fully repeal this law and all discriminatory compulsory veiling laws and policies, and to remove other barriers to the political and economic participation of women.' The Chastity and Hijab Law was passed in reaction to challenges the government faced enforcing its existing hijab laws in the face of widespread protests in 2022, ignited by the death of young Kurdish woman Zhina (Mahsa) Amini while in the custody of the so-called morality police for a lax hijab. Iran's parliament speaker said in March that the country is laying the necessary groundwork and regulations to implement the new controversial law. Sarah Hashash, deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, welcomed the expansion of the mission's mandate and its special rapporteur, saying it is important "for justice from survivors, victims' families and human rights defenders in Iran and in exile." 'Today's vote delivers a strong message to the Iranian authorities and their judges, prosecutors, security and intelligence agents that they cannot continue to commit serious violations and crimes under international law without the risk of consequences,' Hashash added. At the Human Right Council meeting, Iran strongly criticized the resolution. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office Ali Bahraini described it as 'another waste of resources that will further shrivel trust in the work of this council.'
Rudaw Net
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Khamenei warns of ‘strong' retaliation if US attacks
Also in Iran Around 18,000 tourists visited Mahabad during Newroz: Official Trump threatens Iran with bombing if nuclear talks fail Iranian court confirms death sentence for Kurd accused of PKK ties Iran ready for 'both threats and diplomacy' from US, says FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday warned of a strong response if the Islamic republic is attacked, after a threat from US President Donald Trump. 'They threaten to commit evil,' Khamenei said during his Eid al-Fitr speech, referring to Trump's latest threat to Tehran if it fails to reach an agreement with Washington. 'If evil is committed, the counterattack will definitely be mutually strong,' he stressed. On Saturday, Trump warned that 'there will be bombing' if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington. 'If they don't make a deal [with the US] there will be bombing, and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,' Trump told NBC News. On March 7, Trump said that he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei signaling openness to new nuclear negotiations, but threatened possible military action if Iran refuses to cooperate. 'If we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them.' But Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday emphasized Tehran's preference to avoid direct talks with Washington. 'The path of indirect negotiation is open,' he said. Khamenei emphasized that Iran's positions remain unchanged toward the United States and Israel, as the hostility from both countries also remains the same. 'If they are thinking of inciting sedition within the country, like they did in previous years, the Iranian people themselves will respond, just as they have in the past,' Khamenei affirmed. Iranian authorities have blamed mass unrest, such as the widespread 2022 Jin Jiyan Azadi (Women Life Freedom) protests, on Western interference. Iran's foreign minister on Friday downplayed the possibility of American military action against the Islamic republic, but said Tehran stands ready 'for both threats and diplomacy.' Earlier in March, Khamenei stated that Iran will not accept demands from a 'bully' who only seeks dominance rather than solving problems. Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran. Tehran waited a year and then gradually ramped up its nuclear activities. After returning to office, Trump in early February restored his maximum pressure policy on Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon.
Rudaw Net
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US says committed to partnership with Turkey amid protests
Also in World Masoud Barzani invited to open Peshmerga park in Paris: Official VOA Kurdish journalists hope court will overturn Trump's decision Iran responds to Trump's letter via Oman Iran skeptical of US overtures following military leaks: FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington is concerned about Turkey's crackdown on people protesting the removal of Istanbul's mayor, but remains committed to its broader partnership with Ankara. 'We're watching it. We've expressed concern. We don't like to see instability like that in the governance of any country that's such a close ally,' Rubio told reporters during a press briefing on Friday. 'Their argument is that the mayor is involved in corruption, that this has been a longstanding issue that it's finally got acted upon, and that he is seeking refuge behind his politics. I don't know all the facts about it. Obviously, that's not what the mayor is saying or what the political opposition is saying, which is that this is a leader that might have won the election had he been allowed to run,' Rubio said. He added that while Washington is troubled by the developments, it remains committed to its broader relationship with Turkey. 'I think it's possible to raise concerns and at the same time understand we have a lot of other things to partner on as well,' he said. In Washington on Tuesday, Rubio told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that the US is concerned about the recent crackdown on protesters in Turkey and the dismissal of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The mayor, who was seen as the potential main rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 presidential race, was dismissed last week after he was charged with corruption. Imamoglu was one of 99 suspects accused of bribery, extortion, fraud, unlawful data acquisition, and tender rigging, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency. In a court statement published by Anadolu, Imamoglu dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and part of a broader 'conspiracy' by prosecutors. 'Every page they write is garbage,' he said, rejecting allegations of terrorism links as 'offensive.' Imamoglu has been jailed pending trial. His arrest triggered days of nationwide protests. By Thursday, more than 1,900 people had been detained, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who warned there would be 'no concessions' for 'those who attempt to terrorize the streets, our national and spiritual values, and our policemen.' Eleven journalists were detained in dawn raids on Monday for covering the protests, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul. All have since been released. On Wednesday, BBC journalist Mark Lowen was also detained while reporting on the demonstrations. He was held for 17 hours before being deported on the grounds that he posed "a threat to public order," the BBC stated.
Rudaw Net
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Seven arrested in Iran's Kurdistan for ‘anti-regime propaganda' during Newroz
Also in Iran Negotiations with US not possible until 'certain things' change: Iran FM Anti-Kurdish chants in Urmia raise concern over ethnic tensions Iran says waited for compensation from US after nuclear accord withdrawal Iran rejects direct talks with US, to reply to Trump's letter via 'appropriate channels': FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian authorities on Sunday said they arrested seven Kurdish individuals accused of participating in 'anti-regime propaganda activities' under the guise of Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan Province, west of the country. 'Since early March and February 2025, the Kurdistan province judiciary has prioritized taking action against individuals and groups' who 'sought to use the [Kurdish New Year, Newroz] occasion as a platform for anti-regime propaganda,' Mohammad Jabbari, the prosecutor of Kurdistan province told the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. Newroz, which marks the first day of spring, is widely celebrated by Kurds in western Iran (Rojhelat). However, Iranian authorities have frequently clamped down on Kurdish celebrations during Newroz, banning some Kurdish symbols and songs, and prohibiting certain types of Kurdish attire, namely the Jamaneh and Khaki. The Jamaneh and khaki are traditional Kurdish outfits often worn by Kurdish groups that oppose the Iranian establishment. They are widely seen as symbols of resistance among Kurds, many of whom share images of themselves wearing them on social media as an act of dissent. Iran additionally prohibits the Kurdish folk dance, known as Halparke, which is performed by mixed groups of men and women who dance holding hands, a custom not welcomed by Iran's political and religious authorities. Jabbari stated on Sunday that the judiciary is 'officially addressing' the issue of those who are 'breaking the norms and demonstrating insulting behavior.' He emphasized that serious measures were taken, leading to the identification of 'a number of these [groups'] main leaders' and the arrest of 'around seven individuals.' According to Jabbari, the arrested individuals 'had organizational and group affiliations' and that their actions were carried out with the 'reinforcement, backing and direct overseeing of those groups.' Last week, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deployed to Kurdish-majority regions and set up temporary checkpoints to interrogate people, according to the Paris-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network. Meanwhile, the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported on clashes between the Newroz celebrators and Iranian security forces in Kurdish-majority regions. Many people have reportedly been threatened and barred from participating in Newroz celebrations over the past month, according to human rights watchdogs, with a number of them arrested. Earlier this month, Hengaw reported that several Kurds in Bukan and Oshnavieh were summoned by intelligence agencies and warned against participating in Newroz events.
