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Kurdish Child Singers Face Prison
Members of a Kurdish children's choir face up to five years in prison as they go on trial in south eastern Turkey.
The choir - whose members are aged from 12 to 17 - is accused of spreading propaganda for the outlawed Kurdish separatist rebel group, the PKK.
The charges were brought after the group took part in a world music festival in San Francisco, and sang a march in Kurdish.
The prosecutor's indictment claims the song is the anthem of the PKK.
Turkey has been fighting the PKK since the 1980s, in a conflict that has cost almost 40,000 lives.
In a statement on the case, Amnesty International argues that singing an historic anthem cannot be judged a threat to public order - and is therefore a matter of free expression. It warns that the children will be considered prisoners of conscience if they are found guilty.
Old Kurdish
The children's choir performed in America in several languages, but it is a march in Kurdish that has caused the controversy.
The prosecutor claims the song "Ey Raqip", or "Hey, Enemy", is the anthem of the PKK: the separatist militant group Turkish troops have been fighting for two decades.
The indictment also says PKK flags were displayed at the music festival - and accuses the children of making propaganda for terrorists.
One of the singers told the BBC the lyrics to the march were in an old form of Kurdish, and he and his friends did not even understand them. He said the choir wanted to showcase Kurdish culture, not engage in politics - and they only sang the march in response to a request from the audience.
Three teenagers - aged 15 to 17 - will be tried in an adult, serious crimes court in Diyarbakir - in the mainly Kurdish south east of the country.
They face up to five years in prison if they are convicted.
Six younger choir-members will be tried on the same charge, in a children's court in July. There is far more freedom in Turkey today to speak or sing in Kurdish than when the PKK took up arms - in the days when the very existence of the Kurds was officially denied here.
But there are still limits. State prosecutors regularly file criminal charges - at any hint of Kurdish nationalism, that they deem to be separatist.
Kurdish human rights groups also say many children who were involved in street protests that became riots in the south east two years ago are still on trial there. They have been charged with supporting the PKK - or even belonging to it.
Members of a Kurdish children's choir face up to five years in prison as they go on trial in south eastern Turkey. ... more -
US imposes sanctions on Kurdish rebels
"President George W Bush has used a US drug trafficking law to impose financial sanctions on separatist Kurdish rebels in Turkey. The sanctions deny the PKK access to the US financial system and block any transactions involving American companies and individuals.
Sanctions were also announced against the 'Ndrangheta mafia from Italy and a Mexican drug-lord and his cartel. Three individuals from Afghanistan, Venezuela and Turkey were also listed.
"This action underscores the president's determination to... end the suffering that trade in illicit drugs inflicts on Americans and other people around the world, as well as prevent drug traffickers from supporting terrorists," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
The PKK is branded a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and EU. There is a widespread belief in Turkey that the PKK uses drug trafficking to finance terror. More than 30,000 people have been killed since the PKK its campaign in 1984. The 'Ndrangheta, from the Calabria region of Italy, has overtaken Sicily's Cosa Nostra as the richest and most violent of the Italian mafia. In Mexico, nearly 1,400 people have died this year across the country, as drug cartels fight among themselves and government forces.
Previously there were 68 individuals and entities subject to sanctions under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which became law in December 1999". "President George W Bush has used a US drug trafficking law to impose financial sanctions on separatist Kurdish rebels in Turkey. The... more -
Turkish raids 'kill PKK fighters'
More than 150 Kurdish fighters have been killed in a series of cross-border air raids by Turkey into northern Iraq, the country's military has said.
But a spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said only six fighters from a breakaway faction were killed in Friday's raids on Mount Qandil in Iraq. The latest raids mark the Turkish military's deepest operation inside Iraq against the PKK.
"According to initial assessments, more than 150 terrorists were rendered inefficient [killed] and the operation led to panic among the members of the terrorist organisation," a Turkish military released on Saturday said.
Cross-border raids
An official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, which is headed by Jalal Talabani, Iraq's president, said villagers told him that four PKK fighters were killed in the Turkish operation.
The Turkish military has launched several air raids on PKK bases in northern Iraq in recent months.
In February, Turkish troops crossed into Iraqi territory, conducting an eight-day operation to destroy PKK targets.
Clashes between PKK fighters and Turkish troops have sporadically continued along Turkey's border with Iraq.
The Kurdish party took up arms in 1984 in an effort to secure Kurdish self-determination.
Tens of thousands of people have since been killed in fighting.
The group holds bases in the north of Iraq, which it uses as a launch pad for attacks against targets inside Turkey.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party leadership is believed to be hiding in the Qandil region, about 100 km from the Turkish border.
Turkey, like the US and the European Union, lists the PKK as a terrorist organisation. More than 150 Kurdish fighters have been killed in a series of cross-border air raids by Turkey into northern Iraq, the country's mili... more -
PKK - Kurdish Workers Party.
IS PKK (Kurdish Workers Party), A TERRORIST ORGANISATION?
There are about 50 million Kurds in middle east and there is a region called Kurdistan in the region. But these lands - country is taken over by Arabs, Persians and Turks since Ottoman Empire collapsed down.
These people and their country is divided into 4 pieces. Some of the relatives are in Iran, Iraq or Syria while some are in Turkey. These people can not even see each others freely, because they have different nationalities.
Kurds are not allowed to speak their language Kurdish, they are not allowed to practice their religions (mainly, yezidism), and all must every day 10s of them are killed by Turks, Arabs, Persians as Saddam did the same. There are 100s of 1000s of Kurds in jails. Some of them are sentenced for life… All they want is a free life. Freedom for their language, religion and culture. Freedom for a free life, free nation, free Kurdistan.
Main while millions of Kurds has been straggling for their freedom for centuries under different illegal parties.
New day, Kurds are struggling for their freedom under the name PKK. Because they do not have a legal political party.
When this is the situation of the Kurds, should the world nations name PKK a terrorist organization? While there are millions of people who are in favorite of PKK how can the world still call them Terrorists?
What these people are asking for is freedom.
They are not bank robbers, they are not money stiller…
They are freedom fighters. All they want is freedom.
Don’t we all fight for our freedom some how in every day life?
IS PKK (Kurdish Workers Party), A TERRORIST ORGANISATION? ... more -
PKK means KURDS, or Armed Kurds.
But Every Kurd speaks for PKK.
They call PKK "terrorist". But as a Kurd who is not a terrorist? Every one is a terrorist for the Turks.
If one asks for his/her rights, others call them "terrorist" to make it illegal. The reality is asking for the humanitarians rights. Right of talking in mother language, education, freedom. If Kurds had all the rights they would not be fighting for their rights, and there would not be reason to name them terrorists.
Right now, 3000 Kurds are taken by Turkish secrete police and all of them are named "lost Kurds". We do not know any thing about them. Are they killed, are the prisoner? We do not know.
Saddam who is Turk hero for being strong in fighting against Kurds used call Kurd "terrorists" as well. BBut now, not the Turk and some Iraqi Arabs, but the rest of the world calling Saddam Terrorist Saddam.
Now. Who is terrorist who is not?
The one in power is not terrorist; the other one is Terrorist. If you are not strong enough, you are called "terrorist", if you are strong enough to defend your self you are not called terrorist. This is the only reality.
Before Turks came all the way from Altai, near by China, Middle East had no problem. SSince Turks came to the Middle East, created Ottoman Empire, Middle East is in problems.
Kurds are about 50 million of the must ancient people of Mesopotamia who do not have a nation. Beside, they are not allowed to talk in Kurdish.
Right now an 8 years old kid is in jail, because this kid spoke Kurdish in front of Turkish police. Main while, this kid has not gone a school and there for he does not know Turkish.
Few years 5 members of Turkey parliaments were in jail about 10 years, because they spoke in Kurdish.
FINALLY: Turkey is a nation. She has power to use against Kurds. They have allays to sport them as well. First of all, Iran, Syria and in the past Saddam as well. Turkey, by using media, manipulates every thing about Kurds and names them Terrorists.
Are we terrorist?
Definitely no. We are straggling for our rights.
KURDISTANI But Every Kurd speaks for PKK. ... more -
Turkish troops head home
Turkey is ending their ground offensive against the PKK rebels living in the northern Iraq. While acknowledging that "it is impossible to render the entire terrorist organization ineffective with an operation in only one region," Turkish officials say they had made it clear to the PKK that northern Iraq is no longer a "safe area" for terrorists and therefore had achieved their military goals.
Turkey is ending their ground offensive against the PKK rebels living in the northern Iraq. While acknowledging that "it is impossibl... more -
Turkey to continue assault on PKK rebels in Iraq
Despite demands from the Iraqi government that Turkey end its military operations against the rebels living in the northern tribal regions of Iraq, Turkey has said the fighting will continue until its military goals are achieved.
In clashes during the night, Turkey reports killing 77 Kurdish fighters, bringing the total since the violence began last Thursday to 230. Officials report the death toll for Turkish soldiers at 24.
In a visit to Turkey later today, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to tell Turkey to end the fighting in a matter of days or a couple weeks for the total length of the operation and that any ongoing issues should be resolved using diplomatic and economic rather than military means, out of respect for Iraq's sovereignty.
I agree that the violence with Turkey is not what Iraq needed right now...but I find it ironic that the US is urging diplomacy and a quick end to the fighting. I guess Turkey is supposed to just ignore the fact that the US doesn't follow that advice, as we continue to fight in Iraq years later... Despite demands from the Iraqi government that Turkey end its military operations against the rebels living in the northern tribal reg... more -
Iraq demands that Turkey ends fighting
Iraq has denounced Turkey's offensive and continued attacks in northern Iraq, and is now demanding that Turkey end the fighting with the PKK rebels. Iraq has denounced Turkey's offensive and continued attacks in northern Iraq, and is now demanding that Turkey end the fighting with t... more
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Turkey continues to pound Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq
Despite calls from the Iraqi and US governments to withdraw, Turkey continues to fight the PKK rebels hiding out in the hilly tribal regions of northern Iraq. The fighting includes both ground battles between troops and the rebels, and a pounding via air strikes from Turkish fighter jets. Turkish officials say they have killed over 100 rebels and have suffered 15 casualties of their own since the fighting began last Thursday. The PKK puts the number of Turkish troops killed at 81. Despite calls from the Iraqi and US governments to withdraw, Turkey continues to fight the PKK rebels hiding out in the hilly tribal r... more
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PKK urges Kurdish uprising in Turkey
A top Kurdish PKK rebel commander has urged Kurds living in Turkish cities to rise up and fight the authorities in protest against Turkey's land offensive into northern Iraq.
"If they want to destroy us, our young people must make (Turkey's) cities uninhabitable," a senior PKK commander stated.
After sending ground forces in to Northern Iraq on Thursday, Turkey spent Saturday bombing suspected hideouts of PKK rebels in the Kurdish tribal areas of the mountainous border region between the two countries. Turkish officials are reporting 79 rebels and 7 soldiers killed since the fighting began on Thursday, though the PKK is claiming to have killed 15 Turkish troops.
Just what Iraq needs. More fighting. A top Kurdish PKK rebel commander has urged Kurds living in Turkish cities to rise up and fight the authorities in protest against Tur... more -
'Dozens dead' in Turkish assault on Northern Iraq
Turkey's army says that its ground invasion, late Thursday, on Iraq has left 5 soldiers and dozens of Kurdish rebels dead.
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Turkey invades Iraq
Violence is expected to escalate today, as Turkish troops continue their offensive into northern Iraq in pursuit of separatist Kurdish militants who have launched attacks on southern Turkey. The invasion comes after many weeks of tension in the area. Five Turkish troops and around 44 rebels have been killed in Iraq since the campaign began late on Thursday. The Iraqi government has pressed Turkey to respect the sovereignty of the state.
The Kurdish militants are fighting for autonomy in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish south-east; the conflict has been dragging on since 1984 and has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives altogether.
With a resurgence of violence in Afghanistan and Iraq still locked in a cycle of violence what does this mean for the stability of the region? Violence is expected to escalate today, as Turkish troops continue their offensive into northern Iraq in pursuit of separatist Kurdish... more -
Turkish Jets Bomb Iraqi Kurdish Region
Turkish fighter jets pounded a Kurdish border area in northern Iraq for more than two hours Saturday in an effort to rout rebels, a regional official said. No casualties were reported.
abbar Yawar, the deputy minister of Kurdish regional government forces, said the jets went about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) into Iraqi Kurdish territory, where they caused unspecified damage.
On Wednesday, Turkey's ambassador to the United States, Nabi Sensoy, said his country's airstrikes this week against Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq were prompted by intelligence provided by the United States. Turkish fighter jets pounded a Kurdish border area in northern Iraq for more than two hours Saturday in an effort to rout rebels, a re... more -
US Helped in Turkey's PKK Attack
Just the other day, the US was denying any involvement in the attacks. Then they were saying they were privy to the information, but not in good time. Now, Turkey's ambassador to the United States said his country's air strikes this week against Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq were the result of real-time, actionable intelligence provided by the United States.
"Responding to reports that Turkey didn't give the United States enough notice before the attack, he said the United States was informed by the Turkish military about the operation and the two sides "are in constant contact."
Uhm.... communication breakdown or more military misleading the public? Just the other day, the US was denying any involvement in the attacks. Then they were saying they were privy to the information, but n... more -
Turkey Bombs PKK forces in Northern Iraq
"'We, as the government, are resolute to remove this trouble from the agenda of our country,' Cemil Cicek told the state-run Anatolia news agency.
Mr Cicek also called on Kurdish militants to lay down their arms and return to their homes, insisting their fight was futile.
Turkey has regularly targeted the PKK inside Iraq in recent months, but this is thought to be the first fighter jet raid outside its own territory."
I am so glad that the US is not influenced by having several strategic airbases in turkey. I am also glad that the EU uses its power to prevent potentially destabilizing actions by member states.
"'We, as the government, are resolute to remove this trouble from the agenda of our country,' Cemil Cicek told the state-run Anatolia ... more -
Turkish Troops fire on Kurds in Iraq
The Turkish government has said it has inflicted "heavy losses" on the PKK separatist group in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.
This is not good news. The U.S have been "applying pressure" on Turkey to show restraint following many deadly attacks by the PKK on Turkish civilian and military targets.
Turkey have shelled northern Iraq before and have occasionally chased PKK members across the border, but significantly, in a landslide vote, the Turkish parliament has now given permission for a full scale "incursion" if necessary.
De-stabilization of the north of Iraq and the involvement of yet another sovereign country is just about the worst thing that could happen after the good news that many Iraqis are reportedly moving back home. The Turkish government has said it has inflicted "heavy losses" on the PKK separatist group in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq. ... more -
Turkey Bombs Iraq?
According to the AP, Turkish helicopters bombed abandoned villages inside Iraq (though why destroying abandoned villages helps against the PKK rebels is unclear to me). 4 Turkish soldiers were killed in a clash today, taking the toll of Turkish troops killed since September about 50.
According to the AP, Turkish helicopters bombed abandoned villages inside Iraq (though why destroying abandoned villages helps against... more -
Toasting in Turkey
Take a tour through an ancient village in Southern Turkey called Mardin.
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The United States declares Kurdish Rebels a common enemy.
The United States is in agreement with Turkey that the PKK are a threat.
"The Kurdistan Workers Party is an armed militant group founded in the 1970s and led by Abdullah Öcalan until his capture in 1999. The PKK's ideology was founded on revolutionary Marxism-Leninism and Kurdish nationalism. The PKK's goal has been to create an independent socialist Kurdish state in a territory which it claims as Kurdistan, an area that comprises parts of south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Iraq, north-eastern Syria and north-western Iran; those states oppose any such change. It is an ethnic secessionist organization that uses force and the threat of force against both civilian and military targets for the purpose of achieving its political goal." -Wikipedia The United States is in agreement with Turkey that the PKK are a threat. ... more
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