KurdistanObserver.com
Report on the Fourth International Conference
on EU, Turkey, and the Kurds
December 12, 2007
Public Relations Committee
Kurdish National Congress of North America
The
European Union
Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) held its fourth international
conference on EU,
Turkey, and the Kurds on December 3-4, 2007 in the
European Parliament in
Brussels, Belgium. The aim of EUTCC is evaluating the readiness of
Turkey to join the EU. Many invited Kurdish, Turkish and
international experts gave a report on the latest development in
Turkey in regard to this country's human rights record since the
last conference. According to the majority of the speakers
Turkey has not made a significant progress in term of respecting
human rights of the Kurdish people in East Anatolia.
Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC-NA) has always
welcomed the efforts of EUTCC in promoting human rights in
Turkey, which would affect half of the Kurdish population of the
greater Kurdistan.
This year the chair of Pubic Relation Committee of Kurdish
National Congress was invited to the conference as an observer. He expressed his
gratitude to organizers and sponsors of the conference for their courage to
promote equality in
Anatolia.
Mrs. Zana, Mr. Turk, and Mr. Ozcur were among the first
panelists. During the discussion, our representative praised the remarks of
Layal Zana on identity and pointed out that the example of inaccurate identity
is reflected the name of the panelist Mr. Turk, a current Kurdish
parliamentarian; he then humorously suggested in order for
Turkey to be trusted, Mr. Ozcur, the former Turkish diplomat
should change his name to Mr. Kurd. He also suggested the EU-
Turkey Civic Commission needs to be changed to EU-
Anatolia Civic Commission, to avoid any misunderstanding.
The summery of the conference was put in a final resolution which
is published at:
http://www.eutcc.org/articles/1/17/document348.ehtml
Considering the lack of progress in
Turkey, the chair of Public Relations of KNC-NA reminded the
experts that deadlines and proper consequences for not meeting them are
essential in assuring behavioral changes that are expressed in the resolution.
He suggested if
Turkey does not follow the recommendations of EUTCC, it is the
moral obligation of European Parliament to promote independence of
Kurdistan.
