It is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the 20th International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds, organised by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with The Left Group, the Greens/European Free Alliance,… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Independent Legal Mission on the Peace Process in Türkiye The Independent Legal Mission on the Peace Process in Türkiye is an initiative established under the… Continue reading
The EU Turkey Civic Commission welcomes the adoption by the Turkish Parliament of the Framework Law “on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration” as an important step in the peace process. After decades of armed conflict, establishing a legal framework… Continue reading
Dear Executive Board, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regardsProf. Kariane WestrheimChairpersons Statement on the Adoption of the European Parliament’s 2026 Türkiye Report The report provides a clear and comprehensive assessment of the ongoing deterioration of democracy, the rule… Continue reading
Her Excellency Ms Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission Implementation of the Recommendations Contained in the European Parliament’s 2026 Report on Türkiye Dear President von der Leyen, On behalf of the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC), I would… Continue reading
The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) welcomes the adoption of the European Parliament’s 2026 Report on Türkiye by a broad majority. The report provides a clear and comprehensive assessment of the ongoing deterioration of democracy, the rule of law and… Continue reading
Dear Exekutive Board, Please find below our current newsletter. Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our statement: No Further Delay: Right to Hope is Essential for the Success of the Peace Process The fact that the Gurban case was not included on… Continue reading
No Further Delay: Right to Hope is Essential for the Success of the Peace Process The EU Turkey Civic Commission is following with great concern the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies of the Council of Europe… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson EUTCC Policy Paper: International Law, Security and Peace The international system is undergoing a period of rising conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and growing challenges to international… Continue reading
INTERNATIONAL LAW, SECURITY AND PEACE: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS The international system is undergoing a period of rising conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and growing challenges to international law. In many regions, particularly the Middle East, unresolved political disputes, military interventions and democratic… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson March 2026 – MLSA fair trial monitoring report At least 130 people were tried in 19 cases monitored in March 2026 by the Media and… Continue reading
It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Kurdish politician Salih Muslim, who passed away on 11 March 2026 in Hewler at the age of 75. With his passing, the Kurdish movement, as well as the… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Kariane WestrheimChairperson Final statement of our EP roundtable debate The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) held a round table debate on 25 February 2026 in the European Parliament… Continue reading
Final statement of the panel debate ‘Turkey and the Kurds in dialogue: peace, reconciliation and democracy’ The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) held a round table debate on 25 February 2026 in the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by MEP… Continue reading
Kurds in Aleppo under heavy attack by Syrian government – dozens of civilians killed and risk of an even greater massacre Armed groups affiliated with the Syrian transitional government are attacking Kurdish-dominated neighbourhoods in Aleppo. Dozens of civilian casualties have… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our Review of 2025 – Outlook for 2026 Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom is essential for the transformation of the dialogue process into a sustainable process… Continue reading
The EUTCC wishes everyone a happy New Year. Major challenges require decisive action to ensure that peace and democracy become a living reality. The EUTCC remains committed to this in the future. —EU Turkey Civic Commissionwww.eutcc.netTwitter: @EUTCC1Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic… Continue reading
The year 2025 has come to an end. But crises and wars have not. War or conflict is raging in over 60 countries, and the trend is increasing. Amidst this negative picture, a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon,… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Question by MEPs for written answer to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Whether… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Our statement: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility The Kurdistan Freedom Movement held a press conference today in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and… Continue reading
The Kurdistan Freedom Movement held a press conference today in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and announced the withdrawal of its armed forces from Turkey. Following Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call on 27 February 2025, the PKK immediately declared a ceasefire… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regardsProf. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Interim Resolution of the CoE’s Committee of Ministers on Turkey in the context of the Hope to RightThe Committee of Ministers expressed deep regret that the… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Constitutional Court rules rights violated in nearly 80,000 cases since 2012 According to data covering the period from Sep 23, 2012, to Jun 30, 2025,… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regardsProf. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Our statement: Attacks against CHP disrupt the peace processThe crackdown on the CHP is unacceptable and disturbs the latest developments regarding a political solution to the… Continue reading
The wave of arrests against CHP mayors continues unabated. Following the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu more than 100 days ago, the mayors of Adıyaman, Antalya and Adana have now been arrested. For decades, the waves of arrests in… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our statement: PKK resolutions: strengthening democratic transformation together Peace and a democratic society will have positive regional and global implications that are more necessary… Continue reading
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) recently published the final resolution of its 12th Congress, which was held from 5-7 May despite continuous Turkish air strikes. Following the call of its founder Abdullah Öcalan, it announced its dissolution and the end… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson IHD 2024 report: At least 7 thousand 431 rights violations in Kurdish areas According to the reports of IHD Diyarbakır Branch, 7 thousand 431… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane WestrheimEUTCC Chairperson 19th EUTCC Conference – Final Resolution The Annual International Conference on the EU, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds was hosted by the… Continue reading
The Annual International Conference on the EU, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds was hosted by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the Left Group, the Greens-European Free Alliance (GREENS/EFA) and the Groups of the Free… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) will hold its 19th International Conference on EU Turkey and the Kurds on 26-27 March 2025 in the European Parliament. The theme of the conference is: THE EUROPEAN UNION, TURKEY,… Continue reading
Our PR: Mr Öcalan’s statement: A Momentum for Peace and Democracy This momentum must be adequately recognised. The European Union and its institutions, in particular the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, should now make every effort to strengthen… Continue reading
Today, a seven-member delegation visited Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the prison island of İmralı. Abdullah Öcalan’s long-awaited message was read out at a press conference in Istanbul. This declaration is historic and should be supported accordingly. The future… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Statement by Human Rights Watch A drone strike by the Türkiye-Syrian National Army (SNA) coalition that hit a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance on January… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our Press release “Towards a Democratic Syria: Stop Turkey’s Attacks & Involve Kurdish Administration in Political Processes” In the context of Turkey’s attacks, unequivocal… Continue reading
Happy New Year. A new year begins. Existing challenges will remain, new ones will emerge. But a new year also means new opportunities. We must seize this opportunity together for a more peaceful & just world. As EUTCC, we are… Continue reading
The decades-long rule of the Assad dynasty in Syria is over. The crucial question now is whether it will be possible to achieve a progressive, democratic transformation in Syria as a whole. Numerous factors play a determining role here. The… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our press release Turkish-controlled ISIS 2.0 military campaign in northern Syria. Kind regardsProf. Kariane WestrheimChairperson Urgent call for international solidarity Turkish-controlled ISIS 2.0 military campaign in northern Syria In northern Syria, jihadist fighters… Continue reading
The Interior Ministry has appointed trustees in Mardin, Batman and Urfa’s Halfeti district. It was only on 25 October 2024 that the Kurdish mayor of İstanbul’s Esenyurt district, Turkey’s largest district, was removed from office and imprisoned. Shortly after the… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our statement: Doves of peace needed instead of hail of bombs Turkey must immediately stop its attacks in Iraq and Syria, which violate international… Continue reading
Doves of peace needed instead of hail of bombs Since the evening of 23 October 2024, Turkey has been bombing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Şengal and northern Syria, also using drones. At least a dozen civilians have been killed… Continue reading
At its 1507th meeting on 17-19 September 2024, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe dealt with Turkey’s implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights with regard to aggravated life imprisonment. The Committee recalled… Continue reading
Turkey: Kurdish Songs and Dances Are Not Terrorist Propaganda Statement by Emma Sinclair-Webb, Associate Director and Turkey Director of Human Rights Watch Turning Kurdish wedding parties into crime scenes by arresting and prosecuting guests and musicians is only the latest… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Dersim DağdevirenEUTCC board member Nobel Laureates for Mr. Öcalan’s Freedom & Negotiations 69 Nobel Laureates address the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, the ECtHR, the CPT &… Continue reading
69 Nobel Laureates: Letter to Council of Europe for Mr. Öcalan July 16 2024 To the Attention of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Committee for the Prevention of… Continue reading
In recent weeks, Turkey has significantly stepped up its military attacks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Over 1000 attacks have been registered since the beginning of the year. The inhabitants of 162 villages have already been displaced, and… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson PACE visit to Turkey Following a fact-finding visit to Ankara and Istanbul on 11-14 June 2024, PACE’s co-rapporteur for the monitoring of Turkey,… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Dersim Dağdeviren EUTCC board member EUTCC statement: Verdict in the Kobane Trial: Ignoring European Rulings The EUTCC calls on the European institutions to immediately impose political sanctions out… Continue reading
In the show trial known as the “Kobanê trial” in Turkey against 108 people, including leading HDP politicians, the verdicts were pronounced. As expected, the defendants were sentenced to long prison terms. The trial was political, and so is the… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Kariane WestrheimChairperson Our statement: Anti-Kurdish Policy from Turkey to EuropeWe call on the European Union member states not to support Turkey’s anti-Kurdish policy. Freedom of the press &… Continue reading
After the local elections on 31 March – the AKP suffered significant losses – which this gave hope for political change. Several European politicians already saw the end of the era under President Erdoğan. But the sad fact is that… Continue reading
Our statement: Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair In addition to identifying violations of the principle of free and fair elections in accordance with the Protocol 1, Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, it is important to… Continue reading
Turkey has voted against AKP & Erdoğan Turkey has voted. The people have decided against the AKP and its nationalist-Islamist allies. The CHP was able to extend its lead in numerous metropolises and claim new metropolitan areas for itself. In… Continue reading
Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair On March 31, local elections will be held in Turkey. The local elections are currently making headlines due to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that the upcoming local elections would be… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our February newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson Our statement on CPT’s Visit to Turkey We call upon the Council of Europe to use all possible mechanisms to end this lawlessness. … Continue reading
24 February 2024 CPT’s Visit to TurkeyA delegation of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention ofTorture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment carried out anad hoc visit to Turkey from 13 to 22 February 2024. A special… Continue reading
The International Conference on “Political Prisoners in Turkey: Where goes the Path of Freedom and Peace”, discussed the issue of Kurdish political prisoners and especially the issue of not hearing from Mr.Abdullah Öcalan for 3 years, as well as the… Continue reading
The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) would like to draw attention to the issue of political prisoners inside of Turkey in general and the situation of the imprisoned Kurdish leader Mr. Abdullah Öcalan in particular. To place the corresponding gross… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our December 2023 newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson … Turkey leads in pending applications at ECHR with 23,400 cases Turkey had the highest number of pending applications with 23,397 cases out… Continue reading
Turkey has once again launched a new air offensive against the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the northern and eastern regions of Syria, a place where different ethnic and religious communities live together peacefully and equally. The focus is once again… Continue reading
The Annual International Conference on the EU, Turkey, the Middle East and the Kurds was hosted by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) in cooperation with the The Left Group, the Greens-European Free Alliance (GREENS/EFA), the Groups of the Free… Continue reading
The EUTCC is pleased to announce the programme of its 18th International Conference on EU, Turkey and the Kurds on 6-7 December 2023 in the European Parliament. 18th EUTCC Conference IMPORTANT TECHNICAL INFORMATION“HOW TO PARTICIPATE AND ENTER THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT”… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below and attached our statement regarding Turkey’s war on Northern Syria. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson … Stop Turkey’s war on Northern Syria Turkey has been bombing northern Syria since October 4,… Continue reading
Commentaries #25 Chronology of the PKK: From group formation to party (1973–1980) By Prof. Joost Jongerden, University of Wageningen Executive summary: The Kurdistan Workers Party (Partîya Karkêren Kurdistan, PKK) is often considered a latecomer that miraculously survived the 1980 military… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson Press Briefing on the situation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan The U.K.-based Trade Union Campaign for Abdullah Ocalan was joined by members of… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson European Parliament’s report on Turkey European Parliament’s Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor presented the first draft of this year’s on Turkey. The Council… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam, Please find below our current newsletter. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim Chairperson Our Statement on the run-off election in Turkey A clear stance is needed from Europe and its institutions for the opposition, which has fought… Continue reading
Dear Sir or Madam,Please find attached our statement regarding the run-off election in Turkey.If you need further information, don’t hesitate to contact us. Kind regards Prof. Kariane Westrheim EUTCC Chairperson Statement on the run-off election in TurkeyRecep Tayyip Erdoğan was declared the winner… Continue reading