​​​​​​​52 Kurdish parties, associations Europe-based call for holding Turkey accountable for using chemical weapons

The statement issued by 52 Kurdish parties and associations in Europe stated, "Since April, the Turkish state continues its military operations in Iraqi territory against the areas of Southern Kurdistan. These moves, which the world legally classifies as occupation, bring with them many violations from a human rights perspective, among these serious violations is the use of internationally banned weapons, as it is not possible to obtain sufficient information from this region, because it is closed to the inspection of civilian and independent delegations.

 "The prevention of independent bodies from entering the conflict arenas is evidence of a problem. Under these circumstances, the information that reaches public opinion comes naturally from guerrilla fighters and their relatives who are exposed to internationally banned weapons and chemical attacks," the statement added.

 The statement cited statistics of Turkey's use of chemical weapons against Guerilla: "Chemical weapons were used more than 323 times during 6 months, between April 23 and October 23, 2021, when the fighting began. During this period, 38 Guerilla fighters were martyred as a result of the use of chemical weapons."

Chemical weapons were also used in the attack on Girê Tirê on September 3, 2021, which resulted in the death of 6 Guerilla fighters, but three fighters survived. The three fighters revealed information about these weapons, their smell and taste.  And its effects later, as they conveyed their observations about the situation of the fighters who were martyred, these tangible data necessitate that we investigate in depth the matter.”

 “Again, according to some people in Behdinan area have been transferred to different hospitals because they were affected by the chemical weapons used. The people of the area are reluctant to give information because they are under pressure.”

 The statement highlighted Turkey's hostile approach to the Kurdish people in particular and is trying to annihilate them, "It used brutal violence against civilians in its war against the Kurdish people, at the same time, information and investigations that were confirmed many times about the use of prohibited weapons were revealed by  the European institutions themselves, especially in the past five years, we see that they used all dirty methods in attacks targeting the Kurdish people and practicing ethnic cleansing against them.

 The statement also expressed the surprise of the silence of international organizations towards the inhuman and immoral Turkish crimes against the Kurdish people, who know very well that this country has the ability to use chemical weapons, and that it does not recognize any international laws and norms.

The statement sent a message to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) "You had to take quick and more active action on the use of chemical weapons, with the international silence, the thing that affects us is your position, isn't it normal for the Kurdish people to expect you to act as an institution concerned with the issue of the use of chemical weapons?" Are you not there to prevent the use of internationally banned weapons...?Why don't you take the necessary measures despite all this information and fears?"

It continued, "We expect you to make a serious statement for the sake of the Kurdish people. Our people expect you to take a clear position and take initiatives regarding the chemical attacks. If you remain silent, the Kurdish people will be convinced that you are the accomplices of the perpetrators who launch these brutal attacks."

 The statement concluded, "We, the Kurdish parties and organizations in Europe, the undersigned to this statement, share the concerns of our people, and expect you to take a serious and firm stance towards the use of the chemical weapons."

 The Kurdish organizations and parties that signed the statement are: the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK), the Movement for Change (Goran), the Kurdistan Democratic Society Conference in Europe (KCDK-E), the Kurdistan Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E), the Kurdistan Communist Party in  Southern Kurdistan, Kongra Star in Europe, Labors’ Party in Southern Kurdistan, Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ), Freedom Movement, Democratic Union Party (PYD), Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (PDKS), Kurdish Left Party in Syria, Renewal Movement  Kurdistan in Syria, Kurdish Democratic Left Party in Syria (PÇDKS), Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria (Parti), Kurdish Democratic Left Party in Syria, Kurdish Reconciliation Party in Syria, Kurdish Reform Party in Syria, Kurdistan Green Party in Syria, Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria, Kurdistan Communist Party in Syria, Kurdistan Islamic Party (PÎK), Kurdistan Communist Party (KKP), Harko Kawa, Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), Kurdistan Revolutionary Union, Democratic and Free Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KODAR),  Free Women's System in  Kurdistan (KJAR), Huram Platform, Zagros Platform, Yarsan Platform, Yari Kurd, Kurdish Progressive Democratic Party in Syria, Kurdish Art and Culture Movement (Tev-çand), Kurdish Community in Stuttgart, Federation of Kurdish Alevis (FEDA), Union  Alevi Associations, Berlin Kurdish Center, Kurdish Islamic Society (CIK), Kurdish Institute in Germany, Kurdish Institute in Brussels, Shingal Council Abroad (MŞD), Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (YMK), Syrian Yazidis Union (YES), Brandenburg Kurdish Community  Berlin, organization of Yazidi women’s councils, the German-Kurdish Forum, the Mezopotamian People’s Congress, the Mezopotamian Freedom Party, the Kurdistan Human Rights Association, the Kurdish Community of the United Nations.

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