1st Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds

1st Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds [English, London, 2005]

2nd Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds [English, London, 2006]

3rd Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds [English, London, 2007]

4th Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds [English, London, 2009]

5th Int. Conf. on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds [English, London, 2010]

International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU

On 17 December 2004, the EU issued its groundbreaking decision that accession talks would be started with Turkey in October 2005. From 22 - 23 November 2004, an international conference was convened at the European Parliament in Brussels in order to consider the implications of Turkey’s EU membership bid for the future of the Kurds in Turkey.

The impetus for the conference came from the Report and Recommendation on Turkey’s implementation of pro-EU reforms issued by the European Commission in October 2004, upon which the decision by Europe’s leaders to open accession talks was based. Turkey’s formal EU candidature is of historic importance to both Kurds and Turks, as it represents an unparalleled opportunity to bring about democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a lasting peaceful solution in the Kurdish-dominated South-east of Turkey. However, the EU’s approach to the Kurdish issue has generated unease among European, Turkish and Kurdish communities, who believe that the EU has so far failed to openly or adequately address the plight of the Kurds.

The conference accordingly brought together leading human rights institutions, political parties, academics, writers, legal experts and prominent Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals from Europe, the United States, Africa and the Middle East to highlight to decision-makers the successes and failures of Turkey’s reform process, to share their concerns, to exchange ideas and to establish joint positions on Turkey’s progress towards EU accession...

Bar Human Rights Committee
Kurdish Human Rights Project
medico international
The Rafto Foundation

Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS / 9
MAP OF THE KURDISH REGIONS / 11
FOREWORD / 13
ADDRESS BY THE PATRON OF THE CONFERENCE, ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU / 15

PART ONE: OPENING REMARKS DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF THE CONFERENCE ORGANISERS / 17
International Conference on the EU, Turkey and the Kurds: Opening Remarks / 19
Kariane Westrheim

PART TWO: 17 DECEMBER 2004 AND THE FUTURE OF TURKEY AND THE KURDS IN EUROPE / 23
The EU, Turkey and the Kurds / 25
Kerim Yildiz & Mark Muller

PART THREE: HUMAN AND MINORITY RIGHTS IN TURKEY / 51
Turkey’s Implementation of European Human Rights Standards - Legislation and Practice / 53
Jon Rud

The Cultural Situation of the Kurds in Turkey / 71
Lord Russell-Johnston

The Suffering of Kurdish Women / 75
Pervin Buldan

Forced Migration / 79
Şefika Gürbüz

The Role of the Media / 83
Celal Başlangiç

PART FOUR: SECURING DEMOCRACY AND PLURALISM IN TURKEY / 89
Turkey, Kurds, Europe and the EU Accession Process: ‘What is to be Done!’ / 91
Kerim Yildiz & Mark Muller

The Concept of Difference / 105
Nazan Ūstūndağ

The ‘Kurdish Problem’ in Turkey / 109
Doğu Ergil

Assyrian Christians, Kurds and Turkey’s EU Membership / 113
Matay Arsan, M.D

The EU: A Hope for the Kurds in Turkey? / 117
Hatip Dicle

PART FIVE: EU ACCESSION - A NEW FUTURE FOR THE KURDS? / 119
Turkish Membership in the EU and the Kurds / 121
Michael M. Gunter

Kurds in Turkey: From Assimilation to Regional Self-rule? / 131
Conny Fredriksson

Statement by Mr Roger Kaliff / 135

Turkey and the European Union / 137
Joost Lagendijk

The Kurdish Question and Civil Society / 143
Osman Baydemir

Is a Peaceful, Democratic Turkey Possible? / 149
Ali Yiğit

A Democratic Solution to the Kurdish Issue / 153
Denzil Potgieter

PART SIX: CLOSING REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE CONFERENCE ORGANISERS / 163
Perspectives for a Democratic Turkey: An Analysis of the International Conference ‘The EU, Turkey and the Kurds’ / 165
Hans Brandscheidt

PART SEVEN: FINAL RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE / 169
Introduction / 171
Final Resolutions / 173

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS / 177
ANNEX ONE: CONCLUSIONS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN ITS 2004 REPORT ON TURKEY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS ACCESSION / 185

ANNEX TWO: DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE OPENING OF ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY / 195

ANNEX THREE: PROGRAMME OF THE CONFERENCE / 197

Dear Friends,

I send my warm greetings. I am deeply distressed by the many situations of internal conflict that arise in countries that do not have a homogenous population. Differences of ethnicity, race or faith drive people apart, competing for turf and a place in the sun. Tension and violence undermine the security of all. No country can prosper when there is a lack of trust amongst its citizens.

I hope this conference will build on the good work that has already been done in improving relationships between the Kurds and the Turkish people. There must be a way forward to be inclusive of all, to be caring to all, to work together rather than against each other.

I am encouraged that you should be meeting at this time and I pray that your deliberations will be fruitful.

God bless you.

Desmond M Tutu



* The Most Reverend Desmond M Tutu OMSG DD FKC, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU

European Parliament, Brussels, 22-23 November 2004
Conference Papers
Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu


Edited by Mark Muller, Claire Brigham,
Kariane Westrheim and Kerim Yildiz

Design and Layout: Torske & Sterling Legal Marketing
www.torske.co.uk

Printed in Great Britain
July 2005

Published by the Kurdish Human Rights Project

ISBN: 1-900-175-878
All rights reserved