HDK-Europe has launched a petition against the deals between the EU and Turkey, primarily the immigration deal, with a press conference held in Germany’s capital Berlin. Activists have gathered in the 'Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte' for the campaign with the slogan “No to the dirty deal struck with Turkey at the cost of human rights, democracy and peace! Protect democratic values!” HDK Co-spokesperson Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Alex Kalk from HDK-Europe Initiative, KCDK-E Co-chair Yüksel Koç, Tobias Pflüger from Die Linke and Die Linke Hamburg State Parliament Member Cansu Özdemir attended the meeting. Representatives from other institutions were also present in the meeting where the activists called on Turkey for an end to massacres in Kurdistan and criticized the EU countries for their silence.

“THE DEAL IS AGAINST IMMIGRATION LAW”

Kalk from the HDK-Europe Initiative mentioned the founding history of the HDP Europe and said the following on the campaign: “HDP Berlin has launched this petition in May. It has reached 2500 signatures so far. With this press conference, we spread this campaign Europe-wide. This deal includes the return of migrants arriving in Europe to Turkey. This deal is against the asylum and immigration laws. And we kick off a campaign here today to raise our refusal of this deal.

Kalk also mentioned the German Parliament’s acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide and said: “With this decision, they have actually confessed their own guilt. Because the German state had its share in that period as well. They both faced their crime and accepted a historic crime. This is a positive decision. As an Armenian person from Turkey, I want the present day crimes and massacres to be discussed as well, not just those in the past. Otherwise, these decisions remain to be just for show.”

Tobias Pflüger from Die Linke pointed out the relationship between the EU and Turkey and said: “This deal is not a solution. This is absolutely against human rights and the law. This deal needs to be abandoned immediately.” Pflüger criticized the massacres Turkey commits in Northern Kurdistan very harshly.

“SIGNATURES WILL BE TURNED IN AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER”

KCDK-E Co-chair Yüksel Koç gave this information on the campaign: “Right now, 58 organisations from Turkey and Kurdistan in Europe including Alevi, Êzidî Muslim, Assyrian and different faith groups are running this campaign. This campaign is active in Germany, the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and many other European countries. Efforts will be organized with commissions to be formed in every city and town. The campaign will be run in 6 European languages. These efforts by all European institutions, NGOs and political parties will continue until the end of September. We will submit these signatures with mass rallies, especially in Germany, to the parliaments of the respective countries and other relevant institutions.

ARTICLES OF THE CAMPAIGN

The 5 articles in the petition are as follows:

1- End the dirty deal with Turkey! End funds and arms transfer and other logistical and military support to the Erdoğan regime now!

2- Turkey’s government should be put under diplomatic pressure, rather than being given promises of full EU membership in the near future. State terror and war must finally be over, democracy and peace must be ensured!

3- End the pressure on organisations from Turkey and Kurdistan in Europe for Turkey’s interests! The PKK, defending different identities and faiths in the Middle East against ISIS gangs, should be removed from the EU terror list and the ban on the PKK in Germany should be lifted!

4-Full compliance with the UN Declaration of Human Rights and Geneva Refugee Convention! Refugees having to leave the place where they lived must be supported in line with human dignity!

5- A humanitarian corridor should be opened for Rojava and free travel should be ensured for those who wish to return to Rojava.