The Defend Kurdistan Initiative, an international initiative that was launched in June – which aims to immediately stop the Turkish state’s attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan and which also demands a withdrawal of all Turkish troops and Islamist mercenaries from the region – continues to meet with political actors and activists in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The delegates visited Darbandikhan (Derbendixan) and Halabja and received information about the plunder of nature in Derbendixan as a result of the attacks of both Turkey and Iran. In Derbendixan, the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) member Dr. Hekim and Nahiye Cultural Director Hasan Heme Saleh welcomed them.
“It is a chance for the group coming to Kurdistan to see attacks on the spot and report them to the world,” said Dr. Hekim, referring to the delegation visit.
The delegation also travelled to Halabja. First, they visited Halabja museum. Later, they met with the Halabja Civil Society Network, which represents over 200 non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Speaking on behalf of the Halabja Civil Society Network, Erselan Abid welcomed the Defend Kurdistan Initiative. He thanked its members for trying to make the voice of the Kurdish people heard.
Members of the Defend Kurdistan Initiative, Emilla and Jesica, stated that the visit to Halabja was very meaningful to them and they apologised to the Kurdish people and ‘Halabja’ on behalf of German revolutionaries who opposed the use of German weapons in the Halabja massacre.
Jesica stated that the ‘Democratic Life manifesto’ created by the Kurdish people is an example for revolutionaries all over the world. She called for a shoulder-to-shoulder struggle against the hegemonic states. The meeting ended with a Question and Answer session.
