Support us on the third anniversary of the suppressed Kurdish Uprising in Iraq

On 17 February 2011 a mass uprising for freedom, dignity and social justice erupted against the Kurdish political establishment. These mass protests spread to many cities and towns in Kurdistan with the exception of the capital Erbil and Dehok, which were militarised by a heavy security police presence to prevent people from protesting.

Protests starting on 17 February 2011 brought about a huge change in Iraqi Kurdistan in the form of a revolutionary movement that saw thousands of youth from different layers and classes of society coming to the forefront to stand against the oppression, discrimination and social injustice that have prevailed in Kurdistan in the last 22 years.

Thousands of people were on the streets in various cities and towns, particularly in Sulaymaniyah, the country’s second largest city.

The protesters were demanding an end to corruption, and the dictatorship of the two families in power, who head the two political parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

These families have been in power for the last 22 years, and under their rule thousands of people have been killed or have disappeared. Women and workers have few rights and there is very limited freedom of expression and thought. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), has been persecuting, kidnapping and terrorising free thinkers, intellectuals and political opponents, as well as targeting independent journalists and publications.

After 62 days of peaceful protest, the Kurdistan Regional Government and Parliament took no steps to respond to people’s demands. In fact, they opened fire on demonstrators and otherwise attacked them, including throwing acid at them, and arrested, kidnapped and killed demonstrators.

More than nine people were killed, among them 12- and 14-year-olds. More than 600 people were injured. To this date none of the criminals responsible for these acts have been brought to justice.

On the third anniversary of the suppressed Kurdish Uprising in Iraq we are gathering in front of the KRG’s representative office in London to remind them that people’s anger and demands for freedom and social justice and their fight against tyranny and corruption are still alive.

We are here to demand justice for those who were killed and injured and that the criminals responsible should be brought to justice.

The Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom, equality, rights and dignity needs international attention and solidarity to defy the political establishment in Iraqi Kurdistan. The authorities are attempting to silence any voice that challenges them and to ignore the just demands of the population.

You can support us by exposing the atrocities in Iraqi Kurdistan committed against our people by the Kurdish rulers.

Our demands:

• The murderers of 17 February 2011 must be brought to justice.

• Mahmoud Sangawi must be brought to public trial over the death of journalist Kawa Germyani.

• The KRG must recognise freedom of the press and political activity, and the freedom to demonstrate in Kurdistan.

• Support Zhean Group’s demand for campaigns against honour killing and supporting women’s rights in Kurdistan.

• Abolition of the law banning demonstrations.

 

What you can do:

You can write a letter to your MP and raise your concerns about the protestors, those killed, and those who were arrested, tortured and treated in such a degrading manner.

You can attend our demonstration in front of the offices of the KurdistanRegional Government (KRG):

Place: Kurdistan Regional Government, 23 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6LB

Date: Monday 17 February 2014

Time: 12 noon to 2pm

Nearest Tube stations are St James’s Park and Victoria

 

Called by:

Freedom Umbrella

International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)

Kurdish Association in London

Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women’s Organisation in Britain

Change Movement-London

Worker-Communist Party of Kurdistan – British organisation

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