UNISON, one of the UK’s largest trade unions serving more than 1.3 million members, held a meeting about Kurds at its annual conference. In a leaflet distributed to all delegates attending the meeting, UNISON called Turkey to immediately stop attacks on Kurds, to free Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and return to peace talks.

During its annual conference which is being held in the city of Brighton with the participation of hundreds of delegates, UNISON gave particular coverage to the discussion of the Kurdish question on the first day of the four-day conference.

The meeting was also attended by Erdelan Baran and Michelle Alison from Kurdistan National Congress and Elif Sarıcan from the Kurdish Students Union in UK.

'KURDS BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM'

Stephen Smille who made the opening speech of the meeting pointed out to the very critical process the Kurdish people are being through as the Turkish state has started an all-out war against the Kurds, who are its own citizens.

Smille also called attention to the Turkish state's hostile approach towards Rojava, saying; "While the Kurdish people are giving a great and successful struggle against the ISIS, the Turkish state treats the Kurdish people with enmity. Despite all the attacks, Kurds are creating a democratic and equal system in the Middle East that respects human rights and embraces gender equality. The ideological creator of this system is Kurdish freedom movement's leader Abdullah Öcalan who is held in isolation for 17 years. Still, a democratic autonomous system based on his ideology is arousing in Rojava."

'TURKISH STATE TRAMPLES ON VALUES OF HUMANITY'

Simon Dubbins, International Representative for UNITE the Union, who couldn't attend the meeting due to a busy agenda on referendum, sent a message, stressing that the Turkish state is trampling on the values of humanity with its attacks on the Kurdish people, which he described as a great shame for democracy. Dubbins said; "Numerous civilians have lost their lives as a result of the destruction of Kurdish towns like Sur. Turkish state is being hostile towards Kurds by supporting savage gangs such as ISIS and Al-Nusra. Showing solidarity to the Kurdish people in such a critical process, is vital."

'WE WILL JOIN THE FREEDOM FOR ÖCALAN CAMPAIGN'

Dubbins ended his message by vowing to work for the UNISON to join the 'Freedom for Öcalan' campaign launched by the Unite and GMB unions in May.

KNK members Erdelan Baran, Işıl Güler and Kurdish Students Union member Elif Sarıcan spoke about the Turkish state's ongoing attacks in North Kurdistan and the Rojava revolution.

CAMPAIGN OF THE UNITE AND GMB CONTINUES

Unite the Union and GMB, two largest trade unions in the UK, initiated the 'Freedom for Mr. Abdullah Öcalan' campaign  in the UK Parliament in late April. During the historic session in the UK Parliament ythat drew intense interest, participants criticised Öcalan's ongoing isolation and expressed that his freedom would contribute to peace in the Middle East.