Open letter to the Czech Republic’s Prime Minister

Dear Mr. Andrea Babiš,

I am writing you this letter on behalf of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR) regarding the arrest of Salih Muslim. 

Salih Musleem was formerly the co-president of the Democratic Union Party (known as the P.Y.D.), the political arm of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or Y.P.G., in Syria. Salih was invited to take part in a conference discussing problems in the Middle East. Salih was arrested on 25th February in a hotel in Prague, by Czech security forces following a request from the Turkish Government. 

The Turkish government accuses Salih Muslim of being a terrorist, while you and the whole world know and have seen with your own eyes that Salih Muslim was leading the war against terrorism and the barbarism of Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.  Salih Muslim protected tens of displaced people of different nationalities in Syria fleeing their homes following the Syrian civil war.  IFIR provided humanitarian support to Syrian refugees with the help of a coalition led by Salih Muslim.

As a matter of fact, it is Turkey and Erdogan who have backed ISIS and terrorist groups. It is Turkey who has victimized tens of civilians in Syria, assassinated its political opposition within Turkey and abroad and filled its jails with politicians, journalists and citizens who oppose Erdogan’s policies. Turkey government is currently carrying out a major military campaign against the Syrian Kurdish area in the Afrin region of northern Syria.  This has led to the killing and displacement of many innocent people.

Salih Muslim is a Kurdish politician from the Kurdish area of Syria, and has a democratic right to express his opposition against Erdogan’s Policies in Czechoslovakia.  Salih should be entitled to freedom of expression to speak against the policies of the Turkish Government in Czechoslovakia.  His right to freedom of expression should be protected by the Czech Government. 

IFIR demands you release Salih Muslim immediately.  Do not let your country be used by Turkey to imprison and intimidate an innocent man. Your government is responsible for the life of Mr Salih Muslim do not send Salih Muslim to Turkey.

Kind Regards 

Dashty Jamal,

Secretary of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)

27 February 2018