The 10th Kurdish Culture Days were held by the Nuremberg Medya People’s House in Villa Leon.

A panel discussion was held in the event with speakers Hamburg State MP Martin Dolzer, Journalist-writer Ferda Cetin and Journalist-writer Ahmet Nesin and moderator Sociologist Nihal Bayram.

The panel discussion titled “Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in the Middle East” was attended by a large crowd including representatives from political parties and NGOs.

DOLZER: HUNGER STRIKES ACHIEVED THEIR GOAL

Hamburg State MP Martin Dolzer gave a speech through video conferencing in the panel discussion and spoke about the hunger strikes against the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan. 

Dolzer said, “The hunger strikes were longer than any other protest. Germany and the EU were silent in the matter at first, which was pitiful. Turkey violates all kinds of international laws and the EU isn’t putting any pressure on the country. The hunger strikes have achieved their goal, it is very important that the isolation against Mr. Ocalan is broken and that he can meet with his family and lawyers. This is an important development in the democratization and peace in the Middle East.”

TURKEY VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW

Martin Dolzer also mentioned the Turkish army’s invasion operation in Southern Kurdistan and said: “Turkey is committing war crimes. Turkish state acts in conjunction with structures like ISIS, they work together. Turkey has invaded Afrin alongside these groups, and violated international laws in the myriad war crimes they committed. But they did not face any pressure from Germany or the EU in return. Right now, the Turkish army is attacking Qandil, bombing with fighter jets and harming the civilian population. They are violating international law. There should be pressure against Turkey, that continues to violate international law, and a stand must be taken against the country.”