A series of protests are set to take place in multiple German cities on 14 July, focusing on two pressing issues affecting the Kurdish community: Turkey’s recent military incursions into Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the ongoing isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Prison in Turkey.
The protests aim to draw attention to Turkey’s attempt to establish a 30-40 kilometre deep “security buffer” along its borders with Iraq and Syria. Since the beginning of this operation, Turkey has reportedly carried out 238 airstrikes in Iraqi Kurdistan, primarily targeting the Duhok governorate. These actions have not only raised political tensions but also resulted in the destruction of agricultural land, according to Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
Mazlum Karagöz, the Press Spokesperson for the Confederation of Kurdistan Communities (KON-MED) in Germany, emphasised that the demonstrations will also demand the release of Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who has been in isolation for 40 months.
The 14 July date holds significance for the Kurdish community, coinciding with the anniversary of the Great Death Fast of 1982 led by Kurdish activists in Diyarbakır (Amed) Prison following the military coup of 12 September 1980. Organisers see this as an opportunity to draw parallels between historical Kurdish resistance and current struggles.
Turkey’s recent actions are viewed by experts as potential attempts to influence the upcoming Iraqi Kurdistan elections scheduled for 20 October. The protests in Germany will serve as a platform to voice these concerns to an international audience.
Preparations for the protests include visits to businesses, leaflet distribution, and social media campaigns. Organisers expect a significant turnout, reflecting growing concern within the Kurdish diaspora and their allies about the escalating situation in Iraqi Kurdistan and the broader implications for Kurdish rights in the region.
