Turkey News

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

The peace process and temporary ceasefire (declared only by Kurdish forces) seems to be broken in Turkey after the Suruc massacre. . I am opening this forum thread to report on developments related to social (ethnic) peace and conflict in Turkey and the position of state and Kurdish authorities on it. Also to follow its effects on social movements and political organisations in Turkey.

A summary of how we come here;

The tensions were high especially before the election in 7th June (which resulted end of one-party rule of Akp of last 13 years, and with the rise of HDP - the Kurdish and leftists's party- above the electoral threshold. ) The government and especially the president Tayyip Erdogan was showing signs of stepping back from negotiations. There were even occasions of killed Kurdish guerrillas or attacks of cops over kurdish civilians and arrests in various events or demonstrations. Kurdish movement was dedicatedly not replying back with violence.

However after the elections the government started to use a much more aggressive discourse that reminded of the civil war times. In response KCK allowed attacks of guerrillas in spirit of self-defence agains the ecological destruction of Kurdistan (like, forest fires and dams, which according to kurdish sources mainly made to prevent mobilization of Kurdish guerrillas and remove the population and culture of kurdish people from rural places in Kurdistan)

Lastly after the Suruc Massacre, (and some retaliation attack by kurdish forces (HPG) against cops associated by IS and killing of one army officer) government acted fast and declared a campaign against terrorism and changed its foreign policy. Externally they started to support the coalition against IS. However they also started to bombing Quandil and other PKK camps. killing currently 4 guerrillas and injuring many civilians and guerrillas. The people in camps are supported by many kurds in turkey and seen as their legitimate self-defense force versus oppressors of Kurdish nation.

Also -maybe more tragically- AKP government started an operation on paper against all terrorist organisations internally very fast. The list includes IS but also Kurdish organisations, DHKP-C (a Stalisnist revolutionary organisation), MLKP (associated to the SGDF who organised the trip to Suruc), TIKKO and many other smaller groups. in 3 days now the total arrests are about a thousand people. Most of these people are leftists and not Islamic militants. There is also a wave of arrest of civilians who are members of HDP in many cities and speeches by AKP and MHP (the nationalist movement party) about the need to close down the HDP.

So basically, AKP government (even if we forget about the state practices of organised racism in Turkey) appears to push the state in a condition of a civil war, postponing maybe the hopes of a peace between Turks and Kurds indefinitely. The anger in the Kurdish cities is increasing with every killed guerilla or civilian and arbitrary police violence and the empty lies of Turkish government to make peace with them and let them live with honor. On the other hand Turkish society is unfortunately a fertile soil to grow hatred against the Kurds and Kurdish freedom movement by propaganda. This way AKP hopes to consolidate its power by exclude the legal Kurdish political organisations once again. HDP is trying to reply back on forming a peace block with socialist parties, CHP and NGOs. However the future looks very grim due to the shameless attacks of state forces.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

In friday cops attacked to peace march in Ankara. Yesterday cops attacked the demonstration for the people killed in Suruc in Izmir. Now they arrested people who just opened a stand for the memory of killed in Suruc in Ankara. 8 people are arrested
http://www.evrensel.net/haber/256900/suructa-yasamini-yitirenler-icin-acilan-taziye-cadirina-polis-saldirisi

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

http://www.evrensel.net/haber/256834/yeni-safak-grevlere-de-komplo-dedi
AKP's media just recently found that the metal strikes that happened last month before the elections were a conspiracy against the state. The worker's were acting "weird" (sriking for their rights and wages and stuff) possibly due to foreign influence .

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

With operations 96 news sites were banned, some are Kurdish sources and some are leftist sources.
http://www.radikal.com.tr/turkiye/96_internet_sitesine_mahkemeden_yasak-1404566

On the other hand you can reach to IS's turkish website even from schools and public places very easily. http://www.darulhilafe.com/

Chilli Sauce

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Chilli Sauce on July 27, 2015

Thanks for the K. You should set up a blog here on libcom, man.

Flint

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Flint on July 27, 2015

(delete)

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

Thanks Chilli maybe I can

The reason of the ban on 96 websites is just declared it is "making propaganda of terrorist organisations" (again IS supporting webpages are forgotten somehow) Also it is very funny that some of these websites have legal newspaper that are still being published. There are no court orders against them interestingly. Though the journalists who work for these newspapers can of course expect state repression in the future (like ozgur gundem and azadiye welat)
http://aljazeera.com.tr/haber/96-internet-sitesine-erisim-engeli

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 27, 2015

This is also bit interesting and a bit funny but explain a lot related to AKP's media (actually the mainstream media in general) and being a Kurdish person in Turkey today.

First there was this news:

6 people were captured before they were about to attack a police station. "They were planning to make a bloodbath in police station"
http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2015/07/26/6-pkkli-karakola-giremeden-yakalandi
The link below gives more info and says that: "They cried when they were captured"
http://m.ensonhaber.com/haber.php?id=370915

Anyway today they were released.
http://www.imctv.com.tr/yoresel-kiyafetlerle-dugune-giderken-gozaltina-alinan-gencler-serbest/
They were just some Kurdish kids who were coming back from a wedding in traditional Kurdish dresses.

nokta

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on July 28, 2015

Last sunday there was a call for international actions by turkish anarchist groups in solidarity with the suruç massacre: http://sosyalsavas.org/2015/07/anarsi-inisiyatifinin-yaptigi-uluslarasi-cagriya-gelen-yanitlar/ (I thought this was postes somewhere here already but I couldn't refind it)

There was at least one action in Germany at the Consulate near Cologne: http://apjkoeln.blogsport.de/2015/07/27/solidaritaet-mit-den-ermordeten-genossinnen-in-suruc/
Shortly after the action in front of the consulate started they were filmed and threatened by Bozkurts (Turkish fascist / MHP), apperently they have their meeting space right across the street from the consulate...

nokta

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on July 28, 2015

I am getting confused myself from all the news and links etc.

I think we need a blog like the occupied london blog for the greece riots.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 28, 2015

Well I am in. I also used to operate such blog in Turkish for Greece riots myself (with friends of course).

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 28, 2015

http://www.sendika1.org/2015/07/erdogan-emri-verdi-cine-gitti-dokunulmazlik-kaldirilsin-hdpliler-bedel-odesin/
President Tayyip Erdogan: "HDP must pay the toll" The immunity of parlamento members must be taken away" (so they can be judged by court because of their speeches and actions) "The peace process can not continue"

http://www.sendika1.org/2015/07/bedel-emrinin-ilk-adimi-yargitay-cumhuriyet-bassavciligi-hdpye-sorusturma-baslatti/
The head prosecution office of Turkish repucblic (following Erdogan's lead) opened a case against HDP based on fake news appearing on AKP's media.

nokta

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on July 28, 2015

The Supreme Court (of Turkey) has opened an investigation against HDP: http://national.bgnnews.com/terrorism-investigation-launched-by-supreme-court-against-turkeys-hdp-haberi/8058

Do they really go this road and close HDP? What will happen than? What is the position of CHP? This really looks like a coup.

baboon

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on July 28, 2015

It looks to me as if the Turkish state has used the Suruc attack, which, on form, poses the possible involvement of Turkish intelligence, in order to have done with any “peace” deal with the Kurds and go on to a direct offensive in this imperialist war. The “new” situation seems to be indicated by the fact that just after the Suruc attack the PKK carried out the killing of two Turkish cops. I don’t think, at the moment at any rate, that Turkish forces are about to launch a serious assault against Isis but this is rather a fundamental realignment of Turkish/US interests in an attempt to override and put an end to the US/YPG coalition that has been steadily gaining ground (the latter has also been supported by German and British imperialism).

Almost from the beginning of the war in Syria, Turkey has been actively supporting jihadi forces and their transit into the battlefronts. Isis commanders have openly been seen in the streets and resorts of Turkey. Halis Bayancuk, the reputed Isis leader in Turkey has just been arrested in Turkey – just as he was a year ago and then quietly released while the cop that detained him was sent to prison instead. US news agencies reported last night that there had been only one Turkish air assault on Isis positions while there have been numerous attacks against Kurdish targets, along with the general repression that always accompanies developments in imperialist war. Turkish attacks include those on PKK bases in Qandils, northern Iraq and Turkish tank attacks on YPG positions.

Four years into the Syrian war and one year of the "Caliphate" and Isis seems to be getting stronger and more extensive. It could be that the relative success of the US/Kurdish military coalition has forced Turkey to move but it’s more likely to be the result of last month’s election where the opposition HDP took away the majority from Erdogan’s AKP. Thus the latter is attempting to whip up Turkish nationalism against that of Kurdish nationalism and its military “successes” which a new election could turn on. Turkey has opened serious talks with the US since the result of that election and the availability – not yet a done deal – of the Incirlik air base is an important element in the development of this imperialist war. The idea of a Turkish/Syrian buffer zone seems to have been accepted by the US and this will be to the detriment of Kurdish nationalism.

All this manoeuvrings and Machiavellianism leaves the Kurdish forces in a bad place but being stitched up by the US and the west generally is nothing new in the hundred year old saga of the pious hopes of a Kurdish state. Just after World War One the Kurds, after sending a delegation to Versailles, were given a statelet with one hand that was rapidly taken away with the other. In the 1991 Iraq War, Britain and the US called on the Kurds to rise up against Saddam, herded into a “safe haven” and shot down by Iraqi helicopter gunships acting with express US permission. These are the sort of “morals” of imperialist war and they apply to all the actors involved in them – however big and however small. And this is just another twist in the growing expression of chaos and decomposition in the whole region.

Flint

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Flint on July 28, 2015

baboon

In the 1991 Iraq War, Britain and the US called on the Kurds to rise up against Saddam, herded into a “safe haven” and shot down by Iraqi helicopter gunships acting with express US permission. These are the sort of “morals” of imperialist war and they apply to all the actors involved in them – however big and however small. And this is just another twist in the growing expression of chaos and decomposition in the whole region.

Let us not forget that at the same time, there was the uprising of the Kurdish Workers Councils.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

baboon
I read your account, fine. but you seem to very hastily connect Kurdish liberation movement with a state. It is true that there were and was Kurdish nationalist organisations in last century and today and they aimed for establishment of a Kurdish state based on Kurdish nationalism.

Can you point me one proposal, demand or anything Kurdish liberation movement made in last ten years that calls for a state? Well of course you can always take the road that says you know "the true intentions of Kurdish movement etc..." but, well this road in my opinion is another way of avoiding engaging with anything, but just an aversion to get learn, analyse and ultimately maybe reach to a place where your dogmatic views might be a bit shaken.

Anyway let me give some, to demonstrate that Kurds from the start of the war acted based on not to establish a state but end the war by negotiation of all groups (and this in turn hoping to form a democratic -and federal- Syria)
2013 http://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/resources/pik-campaign-statements/the-kurds-stand-for-a-peaceful-secular-and-democratic-syria/
2014 http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/1/syriakurd1031.htm
2015 http://www.basnews.com/en/news/2015/03/16/kurds-propose-a-solution-to-syrian-crisis/
And two days ago: Salih Muslim: If the Syrian government does not turn back being a Bas dictatorship, we can join the Syrian army, why not? http://www.turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/292248.aspx

Another example from Turkey: In this latest speech by Demirtas (co-chair of HDP) he says that, if the President Tayyip erdoğan did not stoped the peace process PKK and Turkish army could be fighting against IS together now.

You can of course check Ocalan's writing on subject, but I do not know what or where sth can be found in english on this topic. But google it, you will.

Do you wanna see a party that is for Kurdish satate based on Kurdish nationalism: See this party: https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCrdistan_%C3%96zg%C3%BCrl%C3%BCk_Partisi They in their programme aim for self-determination of kurds, this party is really small and it is in direct opposition to kurdish liberation movement.

Let me conclude with some of my observations from my trip to Kurdistan and my town: Kurdish liberation movement has a huge basis most of it consist of culturally and socially (various) Kurdish groups. However as the existence as a Kurdish person is already politicized in Turkey, there are different lines of thought or different approaches. The main party line of Kurdish movement is for brotherhood and sisterhood of nations in Turkey and for a democratic reconstructing of Turkish state. (For example: I went to an anti-dam protest, a mother of killed guerrilla speak there; her speech was based on dirty politicians making Turks and kurds enemies just to make profit from the war.) However at the base of movement or among sympathizers you can find some micro nationalism or hatred against some other ethnicities, or some who thinks nationalism and state are the only solution but these individual ideas do not represent the current position at all (and they are results of personal histories and local contexts and I assure you all who have such ideas are people not directly connected to movement).

So basically; It helps to first listen and then evaluate as in most issues, Kurdish movement ideologically oppose any separation and formation of a state since last decade. This is actually what must be seen as anti-imperialist itself (unlike Barzani crowd who follow anywhere USA is going) as it is opposed to chaos that is generated by self-interested approaches of imperialist powers to region (This I think also includes war politics of Turkey) One thing to keep in mind though, unlike FSA, Kurdish movement did not originate or depend upon Imperialist powers and they are determined to democratize the nation states (mostly politically but also economically) they are part of by appropriate means (elections, social movements or armed struggle) and still very bold on taking any necessary steps. If we forget that, I think our analysis can have wrong results.

EDIT: For clarification, as it must be obvious what I am explaining above is the current stand and position of Kurdish liberation movement not its past, or some its possible futures. For example you can get the information that PKK was a some sort of pawn between different imperialist powers and states in the past from even Kurdish population sympathetic to Kurdish movement (let's not accuse anyone here :D ) For example as it was the case with Syria in the past. Nobody is romanticizing about a past that never were. But current approach and proposals of Kurdish movement -in my opinion- needs at least a reading and a real evaluation in context of their emergence. I find ahistorical accounts linking past (or present but different: Barzani for example) Kurdish nationalism with Rojava in a direct way as wrong. Just as I find propaganda of Turkish state (which argues more or less the same): Kurdish movement is just a nationalist movement, they want to separate us, they want to built a state at our borders etc... I think revolutionaries should be more objective in their analysis than stupid bourgeois states and avoid reductionist answers (like idea of a pertaining kurdish nationalism that is more or less destiny of kurdish nation -unless we, revolutionaries came and enlighten them of course- :P )

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

Balance-sheet of last days operations (21 – 28 July) in Turkey according to HR society.

- People arrested and then released: total 1034 (36 are children). Charges: 140 Is member, 22 Fetullah movement, rest is PKK/KCK or other leftist groups.
– Arrested: 5 Is, 49 PKK/KCK
– Injured by attacks of Cops (accoridng to hospital records): 16 people (three kids)
-Killed: 32 in Suruc, later 5 more people (one is 11 year old kid)
– Injured Cops/Jandarma: 1 cop is killed 11 injured, 3 solider is killed 7 soldier is injured.

Source: http://inadinahaber.org/2015/07/ihdden-bir-haftanin-bilancosu-41-kisi-oldu-1034-kisi-gozaltina-alindi-sadece-5-isidci-tutuklandi/

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

HDP yesterday called for a second communication for peace, AKP rejected it (if they have power they should order kurdish forces to give up their guns) So AKP appears to be not change and will go for the civil war route (at least until the next early elections)
http://www.radikal.com.tr/politika/yalcin_akdogandan_demirtasin_tekrar_muzakere_cagrisina_yanit-1405695

KCK: Either turkey will become democratic or Kurdish people will establish their self-government by their own power.
http://t24.com.tr/haber/kck-ya-turkiye-demokratiklesecek-ya-da-kurt-halki-kendi-gucuyle-ozyonetimini-kuracak,304358?utm_medium=social&utm_content=sharebutton

EDIT: Also for a better representation of Kurdish movement: Kurdish movement still did not opened war to Turkish state. And PKK helds responsible (for attacks against security forces) individual groups at the base of movement who act according to their own will. And KCK calls for democratic opposition to War politics of AKP now. Though the violence and deaths increase still at the both sides. KCK representative Agit says: We can still go back to a peace process.

AndrewF

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by AndrewF on July 29, 2015

Kurremkarmerruk are you aware of a similar list of who has been hit in the airstrikes (it looks to me like its 3 against ISIS on Friday and then dozens against the Kurds but after some googling I haven't found a list in English)

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

Yeah, I see something like that. I will edit this when I found one.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

Vauw!
This is from AKP's media:

http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2015/07/29/hava-harekatinda-kullanan-fuzelere-sehitlerin-isimleri-yazildi

The name of the killed soldier's and cop's names were written over the bombs that are used to bomb Kurdish bases.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on July 29, 2015

I found it Andrew, though it was this:

In the first two days of the Turkish campaign it sent only a few planes to bomb Syria while there were 185 air missions against about 400 PKK targets.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/turkeys-conflict-with-kurdish-guerrillas-in-iraq-can-benefit-isis-in-syria-10422690.html

Not more concrete data now, sorry

Entdinglichung

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on July 31, 2015

http://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1069/wrecking-the-peace-process/

http://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1069/erdogans-twin-strategy/

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 8, 2015

The recent clashes between kurds (armed and civilians) versus the cops and military continues, there are dozens of killed in each side.
Anyway the link below is to a video where Turkish police forces invade a construction site and tie the hands of people (well nearly all of the construction workers especially the lowest paid ones are kurdish in Turkey) and force them to lie on the ground. Cops then insult and threat the kurdish workers. The officer who is doing the insulting can be heard saying: " You will see the power of Turks!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42pNz2EpmJY

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 18, 2015

http://www.etha.com.tr/Haber/2015/08/17/guncel/izmirde-suruc-bildirisi-dagitanlara-gozalti/
There will be a memorial and solidarity event for the people killed in İzmir (and also in other localities I suppose at different times) Also this even tis to help families and injured for their health expenses. Anyway The cops arrested people who give flyers of this event in izmir. This is as far as I know the third time this week people are arrested for opening a stand for this event. Which is - I repeat- basically a concert to rise funds and respect the killed people in Suruc. Anyway the arrested people are currently released again.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 18, 2015

http://www.sendika1.org/2015/08/orgutlen-oldur-imzala-gec-gozaltindaki-13-isidli-adli-kontrol-ile-saliverildi/
This is a bit old but I wanted to translate it anyway. As there were operations against the IS and leftist groups in turkey arresting like 1000 people. However as of 15th August now all IS militants who were arrested are released. There is hundreds of arrested people mainly from kurdish freedom movement though.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 18, 2015

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/diyarbakir-silvan-da-son-durum-gundem-2103874/
In Silvan after the declaration of autonomy by Kurdish forces. (Though it is a bit complex but technically kurdish forces did not declared autonomy they more like declared they do not recognize the state institutions in the city as they are against the people living in the city, So it is as far as I understand not a total autonomy declaration, but let's call it for simplicity for now) State forces surrounded the city. The cell phone operators stopped working in the city. The HDP comitee was not allowed into the city. state of emergency declared. there is a ban on walking on the streetç. still There are reports of attacks to houses including plain machine gunning of homes. There is at least one death. As there is no way to get information from city there is danger of state terror going wild.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 18, 2015

http://www.sendika1.org/2015/08/mus-valiligi-kevser-elturke-yapilan-iskenceye-degil-iskencenin-ifsasina-karsi/
Photo of a killed tortured and stripped naked woman guerilla's photo started to circulate in facebook a few days ago. Mus state authorities agreed that it was in fact a real photo belonging to the corpse of YJA Star guerilla "Kevser Eltürk". The point is then Mus authorities banned the circulation of photo and opened a case to find the person who took the photo. So basically turkish state thinks it is very ok to torture and shame the killed kurdish guerillas but it is not ok to show this to wider public to inform about the horrors of the state.

kurekmurek

8 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on August 18, 2015

http://www.imctv.com.tr/semdinlide-evlerinizi-bosaltin-anonslari-yapiliyor/
In Semdinli another city under the state of emergency, there are reports of state forces with armed veichles announce "if you do not leave your homes, we won't be responsible for what happened". So basically Turkish state trying to force a Kurdish city to migrate and terrorize its population.

nokta

8 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on September 9, 2015

There have been attacks on HDP offices and kurdish people since last weekend. Attackers are Nationalists and/or Islamists, partly organized, partly spontaneous. Mostly in western Turkey. The HDP office in Ankara was almost torched. Also the building of Hurriyet newspaper in Istanbul was attacked two times. AKP- and MHP-youth (grey wolves) are said to be behind the attacks . There have also been reports of attacks on kurdish workers and busses going to kurdish areas.

http://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article146176146/Wir-wollen-keine-Operationen-wir-wollen-Massaker.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34193733?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central

Demonstrations today at 18:00 everywhere in Germany.

bastarx

8 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by bastarx on September 10, 2015

New Mouvement Communiste article about the strike wave in Turkey earlier this year:

http://mouvement-communiste.com/documents/MC/Leaflets/BLT1509ENVF.pdf

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 7, 2015

Inspired by revitalization of reporting of developments in kurdish regions, here is my overview report on the latest developments in Turkey.

The General Political Situation: In 7th of June the elections resulted in AKP losing majority in parlament thanks to HDP's decision to enter the elections as a party and risking losing the elections entirely by not going over the electoral threshold (which is 10 percent -still- in Turkey). This is even agreed by main Turkish nationalist (and anti-kurdish party) party ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dT2iKqHD-o and see the usage in this news also: http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/140-communes-formed-in-cizre-as-part-of-building-of-self-rule ). Anyway luckily HDP passed the threshold with 13.7 percent of the votes. AKP did not wished to make a colation (though it made some conversations with other parties) so there is still no coalition government in Turkey) Therefore Turkey is going for re-elections in 1st of November. And apparently to lower the votes of HDP (and destroy Rojava – there are good articles connecting this re-starting of war to the emergence of Rojava as a new legitimate force in Syria for kurds but also internationally), AKP went back to war against Kurds especially following the Suruc massare.

The Civil War: In the past mst of the fighting between Kurdish forces and Guerillas were happening in mountains. However Kurdish freedom movement new reconfigured its fight according to itsnew ideology – democratic autonomy. Now the idea is to defend people's cities, villages and neighbourhood by “revolutionary people's war” and declare self-rule. Terminologically kurdish forces emphasize that they declare not autonomies, but self-rule (Turkish: Ozyonetim). ( http://diclenews.org/tr/news/content/view/476708?from=1815887918 Or Ayna saying: autonomy and self-rule are the same thing it is people deciding for themselves - abit contradictory but same idea neverthelesss- : http://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler/2015/09/150911_ozyonetim_ilan_analiz_cagil_kasapoglu )This is according to Kurdish sources show that the emphasis is not on the establishment of just a canton or an autonomous place with its legal-beuracratic structre (like let's say Catalonia) But establishing the people's rule in the place where people live. So it implies something more than autonomy (in political terms) but people's direct democracy, participation, development of local sturctures for benefit of people etc (more on this below). The Turkish State saw this experiments as attacks to its own soverignity and responded harshly. Killing many civilians and closing down entire cities for more than a week in Silvan, Cizre and many others...

The Decisions of Cizre Self-Rule: The Cizre was one of the cities where human rights violations were too much. The city endured 9 days of closing down and lost many people. However after huge funerals for the lost ones and many still in jail (including the municipal co-leaders who were the people who declared self-rule publically). The Self-rule is not dissolved at all after the attacks:

This news is from 24.09.2015 on the plans of self-rule in english: http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/140-communes-formed-in-cizre-as-part-of-building-of-self-rule

Here is the decisions of the self-rule declared in 28.09.2015, (http://www.demokrathaber.net/siyaset/cizre-halk-meclisi-nden-ozguce-dayali-kararlar-komun-tandirlari-saglik-ocaklari-h55223.html ) summarized and translated:

* A commisison will be formed to determine the losses of each person and the losses will be covered by the self-rule based on the self-power of people
*The case for rights violations will be made collectively.
*People decided that a documentary to be made for Cizre resistance.
*According to principles of eco-industry “the sand owen industries” near the Dicle River should be closed. We will start a campaign for this.
*The city will plant tries and in each neighbourhood children's play parks will be made.
*In each neihbourhood Commune Owens will be built to increase collectivity.
*The polygomy, money for women and similar degaratory practices against women will be abolished and considered unlawful.
*Gambling is prohibited.
*A small health office will be opened in each neighbourhood for people to get free helathcare in their native languages.
*We call all young and families not to go to army.

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 9, 2015

In last 3 months 113 civilians were killed by cops and army in Turkey. http://www.evrensel.net/haber/262388/ihd-yasam-hakki-ihlallerini-acikladi-3-ayda-113-kisi-yasamini-yitirdi

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

A peace demonstartion organised by leftist unions -and which Hdp was attending -was bombed in Ankara. There are more than 20 dead. It is suspected that it was a suicide bombing ahain

nokta

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on October 10, 2015

Liveticker about the Ankara Bombing: http://www.diken.com.tr/ankarada-baris-mitingi-oncesi-patlama/

Yesterday there where talks about a PKK ceasefire which would be a good thing, espcially for the civil movements, but may not happen now after this.

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

The dead number is now 35 there are more than 50 injured. However I dont know about stopping of ceasefire declaration. I think it can still happen. However it would be wise if HDP stops making demonstrations or peace protests. And just hope to get a better position after the election to stop the war and prevent state terror. I Will report on developments

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

It is confirmed before ambulances cops attacked the crowd who were trying to help the injured in Ankara

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

As I suspect KCK declared that their guerillas are temporarily on the position of "inactivity" .

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

Number of dead 86 injured about 280

nokta

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on October 10, 2015

General strike on monday and tuesday declared (by unions that organized the peace demonstration)

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

Yhere is ban on making news of the bombing. Twitter is also banned and can not be reached at the moment. Facebook is extremely slow I can not see more than 6 posts or so in my timeline. There are local demos against bombing throughout Turkey

hamid.moradei

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by hamid.moradei on October 10, 2015

Still Islamofascits/Islamists have not taken the honour of mass murder in Ankara today. However, we know well, this level of barbarism has its roots and branches in the corridors of power/state machinery and capital requirement of crisis/war management related to the process total destructionism in the middle East: In the framework of USA-Nato imperialism against the rival imperialist network of Russia –Syrian-Iran-Hezbollah, Turkish state/capital focused on moving its geopolitical position forward by replacing the Assad regime. The Islamist AKP with lunatic Erdogan in lead suffers heavily from a fundamental split within Turkish ruling class in dealing with internal and external issues, including the war in Syria.

However, AKP uses the ballot box mechanism to enforce its mini-imperialist and Islamist project in the country and the region. Of course it depends on its ally’s Saudi Arabian and Qatari state. Thus, Turkish state/capital uses the mass murder Islamist to accentuate its military and political ambitions: After all the IS in the Middle East is to certain degree the creation of Turkish, Saudi and Qatari state’s geopolitical planning. The Turkish state with AKP/Erdogan allows itself to apply IS/Isalmist or nationalist mass murdering mechanism against Kurds and Kurdish question in a self sustaining reaction to open current crisis of capitalism in (Islamic) periphery: Barbarisms we witness in the Middle East (to day in Ankara) portray power and true contribution of capitalism and its attributes Imperialism and Islamism for humanity.

syndicalist

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by syndicalist on October 10, 2015

here's what I gots:

Call for a General Strike from progressive labor confederations and organizations
http://sendika3.org/2015/10/call-for-a-general-strike-from-progressive-labor-confederations-and-organizations/

I don't know the Turkish comrade, but here's what an American comrade has shared on FB

Morgan Presta reports ---"Anarcho-syndicalist Ali Kitapçı, who was injured in today's bomb attack in Ankara":
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153673877979634&set=a.10151613271804634.1073741826.712259633&type=3&theater

EDIT: Morgan now reports that the comrade is dead.
https://www.facebook.com/tacankaAKK/photos/a.1559093467698092.1073741830.1552810614993044/1620998794840892/?type=3&hc_location=ufi

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

Ali was a great guy and a very dedicated class militant. He was himself responsible for actual realisation of strike calls in his sector (railroad workers) in ankara. He was not supportive of actions of kurdish movement. I think he went to the demonstration for antimilitarist class action to end the civil war and bring peace. He was active in his union which is connected to Disk. He was in constant struggle to change it to an anarcho syndicalist union at leas in practice. He even had ideas in last years to form another syndicalist union with international unions in its sector to further the cause of the workers. I am going to his funeral now.

petey

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on October 10, 2015

thanks for your posts kurremkarmerruk.

Serge Forward

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on October 10, 2015

This is awful. Al jazeera is saying at least 95 dead now.

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

There are at least 30 or so heavly injured and there are some speculations that say much higher numbers (around 110)

Flint

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Flint on October 10, 2015

Serge Forward

This is awful. Al jazeera is saying at least 95 dead now.

"Number of killed in #AnkaraAttack reaches 128 & number of wounded 516 according to HDP crisis desk." (ANF)

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 10, 2015

Btw how does Tuekish state replied back to bombing and declaration of ceasefire? It declared ban on going out in some districts in kurdish cities (there is already one young boy killed) plus it is bombing pkk camps in the mountains http://anfturkce.net/kurdistan/turk-savas-ucaklari-zap-i-bombaliyor

petey

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on October 10, 2015

i don't know the turkish press at all, but found this in english:

http://www.todayszaman.com/national_95-killed-246-wounded-in-deadliest-act-of-terrorism-in-turkeys-history_401143.html

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 11, 2015

http://www.bts.org.tr/index.php/haberler/k2-pages/genel-merkez/item/1418-bari%C5%9F-demokrasi-ve-%C3%B6zg%C3%BCrl%C3%BCk-m%C3%BCcadelemizde-kaybettiklerimiz.html

This is the website of BTS independent transport workers union which Ali was member. He is the one at the very start (upper left corner) this is the news of union about their losses in the fight for democracy and peace.

nokta

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on October 11, 2015

Solidarity statement of FAU (Free Workers' Union, german anarcho-syndicalist union).
http://www.fau.org/artikel/art_151011-225853 (Turkish/English/German)

Solidarity Statement – Ankara attack
A peace demonstration under the motto "Work, Peace and Democracy" organized by unions on 10 October 2015 in Ankara, Turkey, was attacked killing at least 128 people and injuring over 200, many seriously. The union federation FAU (Free Workers' Union) is appalled by this cowardly attack on the labor and peace movement.

The demonstration was in reaction to the impending civil war and the increased repression against the left and Kurdish opposition by the Erdoğan-AKP regime. It was organized by the independent unions and trade associations DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey), KESK (Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions), TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects) and TTB (Turkish Medical Association). The left, democratic and Kurdish opposition also called for participation in the demonstration.
This murderous attack fits in with the pattern of the attacks in Diyarbakir/Amed and Suruç/Pirsus as well as those against the left social-democratic HDP (People's Democratic Party) and Kurdish people in northern Kurdistan and eastern Turkey. For years, Turkey has been governed in an authoritarian manner by the religious-nationalist AKP.

As a reaction, the DİSK, KESK, TMMOB and TTB have called for a general strike on 12 and 13 October.

The FAU, as an internationalist, anarcho-syndicalist union, stands by the workers in Turkey in this difficult hour and declare our solidarity.
We also speak out our condolences to the victims and their families.
The FAU calls upon its members and friends to show their solidarity.

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 12, 2015

http://postimg.org/image/rs4d80sy9/

From funeral. I missed the heading banner and nearly all of the flags to show the crowd and the funeral more in picture.

hamid.moradei

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by hamid.moradei on October 12, 2015

kurremkarmerruk, Thanks for keeping us connected to.

Entdinglichung

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on October 13, 2015

kurekmurek

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on October 14, 2015

Translation of the above picture:
Comrade Ali Kitapçı
The new world you grow in hour hearth will live on with all you said to us, with you standing shoulder to shoulder with us (there is a small reference to funeral here, but won't make sense if translated) Your fire will continue to burn with us!
Anarchy Initiative

About Ali see this:
http://libcom.org/forums/middle-east/ali-kitapci-turkish-anarcho-syndicalist-killed-ankara-masaccre-14102015

nokta

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by nokta on October 15, 2015

Report from Germany in regard to the situation in Turkey
As you may know Germany has the largest diaspora of people originating from Turkey, this includes all minorities. This also means that political events in Turkey often result in reactions here.

[*]Since the start of th civil war there has been a lot of kurdish/leftist demonstrations against the war and against Erdoğan. There have been also anti-kurdish demonstrations by nationalists and islamists but way fewer.
[*] (12.09.2015) Knifeattack against a kurdish demonstration in Hannover. A kurdish refugee from Rojava, who participated, was badly wounded. The demonstration was a counterdemonstation against a anti-kurdish demo organized by AKP and MHP sympethizers. (Statement of YXK)
[*] (25-27.09.2015) The first "Ivana Hoffmann Festival" was organized in her hometown of Duisburg. Ivana was the first german and the first foreign female fighter in the YPG that died in the war. She was a member of MLPK linked youth group "Young Struggle". The festival consisted of political panels, a street festival, concerts and a demonstration to her grave. (pictures and report, pictures on facebook)
[*] (4.10.2015) One day after its opening there was an arson attack against the office of HDP in Berlin. Neighbors stopped the fire before it could do much damage. (Newspaper article with a picture, Stellungnahme der HDP zu den Angriffen auf das HDP - Büro in Berlin)
[*]Ankara massacre: Demonstrations and vigils were organized in all bigger cities in Germany. From what I saw participation by german left was poorly. Even worse was the participation and reaction by the "antiauthoritarian left" and anarchists, which is a bit strange because there was some sort of "Rojava-hype" which renewed interest in kurdish and turkish movements/issues. I think the main problem is that there are still only very few connections between non-traditional left (read: non marxist-leninist) and the kurdish and turkish left, which is a pitty and needs to change. Of this part of the german left apparently only Free Workers' Union (federation of anarcho-syndicalist unions in Germany) managed to published a statement of solidarity and a report about the funeral of anarcho-syndicalist Ali Kitapçı.
[*]Political relationship betweens Germany and Turkey: The relationship between Germany/EU and Turkey has been not so good since Turkey started the bombing of Kandil and the attacks against kurdish civilians (I guess this is to some degree a result of the good publicity work the kurdish freedom movement is doing in Europe). But now Erdoğan has come back as a partner to the european stage because of the current so called "refugee crisis". The EU and Germany are sketching plans that make Turkey into some sort of transitstate for the EU. Turkey will get money for refugees camps and to secure its borders to the EU so that there will be no uncontrolled flow of refugees anymore.
[*] (10.2015) Turkish nationalists started a shitstorm against Germanys biggest drugstore chain dm, because one local store had annonced an event at which they would donate all earnings to the local kurdish community society for one hour. The turkish nationalists claimed that this money would go to the PKK. In fact the money was to be used for german courses for refugees that the kurdish community is organizing. One of the "proves" was the fact that the name of the kurdish community organization shared two words with an PKK group: Community and Kurdistan. For some people anything that is kurdish has to be connected to the PKK. The donation-event was cancalled (in the week after the Ankara massacre) in fear of violent attacks.
[*]This shows how deeply the turkish community (which is compromised of all people that have some background regarding turkey) in germany is divided. This is only getting stronger since the Ankara massacre and towards the election. More confrontations will happen.

hamid.moradei

8 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by hamid.moradei on October 16, 2015

The Turkish society is divided and even its over lass( secularist, Islamist, nationalist ...). However, the Turkish state machinery has managed to hold itself united by the Islamist Ideology under violent domination of the AKP in Turkey. Tragically, the working masses, the proletariat, in Turkey and diaspora is divided along the state-Islamism line. This is fragmentation of society as a whole and the proletarian masses as well: This division of social fabric is the great function in introduction and application of Islamism in the Middle East; the negative empiric results of the process is self evident from Khomenism in Iran to today's Erdoganism in Turkey. When capitalism finds its crisis unmanageable and is terrified by a class line approaches from the masses, the ruling classes ( at least part of the over class) in Islamic periphery resort to Islamism as an ideological arsenal to run the social order.

In this regard, the political agenda is set by the State when the orderliness are required to maintain the capital accumulation process: that is where state/capital finds Islamism (from Khomeinsim to Erdoganism; bullet-box/ballot-box) very functional and useful to make a semi disciplinary socio-political environment, which is necessary to preserve the existing social and world order in place.

However, Turkey is a major player in imperialist situation that is unfolding in the Middle East and Turkey is going to play a central role for the US-NATO operation in the region. What is happening in the Middle East is kind of prelude to future world war. Thus, the US-NATO network and its imperialist rival Russian- Middle East network trying to limit the scope of the war and barbarism to the Middle East. But they are playing a dangerous game against each other that can transcend the Middle East geography. Turkey is important gang member for US-NATO network in this imperialist power play and the Turkish state with Islamist Erdogan in the lead utilizes completely this geopolitical relationship. The Turkish Stat/capital has its own agenda and plan for outcome of the Syrian war; grabbing Syrian land among other thing!

In this context, it is essential for the proletarian political environment associated with working masses not to make more mistake to send the masses to minefields that are laid out by Turkish-stat machinery (Secret services in brotherly collaboration with the IS). The Turkish state has already the backup of the EU in managing domestic crisis and war in Syria. Life should not be scarified for confronting this state/capital/Islamist machinery on the street s of Istanbul, Ankara … when the capitalist state is fully prepared to apply any barbaric means to hold its violent dominance over society.

Entdinglichung

8 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on November 5, 2015

http://anfenglish.com/news/kck-unilateral-inaction-has-ended-due-to-akp-s-ongoing-attacks

KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council Co-Presidency has announced that the unilateral position of inaction by their side has ended due to the war policy and ongoing attacks of the AKP. KCK said it is clear and obvious that there will be no change in the war policies that were pursued by the AKP government before the November 1 election.

kurekmurek

8 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on November 6, 2015

As the ceasefire ended, the clashes between the kurdish youth and the cops continue. There is at least 2 kurds killed in Silvan. And there appears to be attacks against cops as there are reports about 2 cops were killed by rifle fire. Turkish state again declared "ban to go outside/to street" in Silvan.

kurekmurek

8 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on November 6, 2015

Well there is also this "funny" stuff:

In Eskisehir University cops and private security guards under the comment of the rector was not allowing any posters to be hanged onto the walls. University collectives to make fun of it engaged in a new action they went to catch some cops, who were trying to remove the posters from the school , with a fishpond and a poster attached to it.

For video click here.

kurekmurek

8 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on November 13, 2015

There is an ongoing war between Turkish State forces (including the military) and Kurdish people in Silvan, a town connected to Diyarbakır/Amed following the declaration of self-rule by the municipality. There is about ten people dead now and many injured. These is currently a ban on entering some neighbourhoods in Silvan. So there is not an exact information. However at least two children aged about 7 is killed. There were artillery and arial strike to the town. Today the crowd who tried to enter the city consisting of locals, NGOs and Parlamento Members (from HDP) were shot at with automatic guns. there is at least 5 injured.

There are solidarity actions in many of the cities in turkey

There is also this call by Peace Bloc in Turkey for international Solidarity to end the war in Silvan.http://www.demokrathaber.net/siyaset/baris-bloku-ndan-silvan-icin-uluslararasi-dayanisma-cagrisi-h57190.html

kurekmurek

8 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on November 16, 2015

The ban on going to street has ended in Silvan in its 11th day.

Here is a video of Soldiers going back from the city center. People are shouting against the soldiers (some insults, some kurdish language stuff, some saying you are murderers etc...) Some are kicking tanks or pushing the soldiers. However there is also a some sort of security corridor organised by the Kurdish people to ensure that no major thing happens while soldiers are leaving. Even at the last part of video a kurdish person protecting the soldier from the crowd says: "Do not come here like this, this people can protect you (you see)".
http://www.rotahaber.com/guncel/silvan-dan-cekilen-askerler-boyle-yuhalandi-h568408.html

Unfortunately in other neighborhoods some bans continue and civilians were murdered.

Also see this video where you can see Turkish Soldiers in full gear making grafitties on the streets against Kurdish people in Silvan (and taking lovely pictures of themselves with them.)
http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye/417581/Polis_Silvan_da__devletin_gucunu__duvara_yazdi.html

Here are some more Soldier Grafities:
http://sendika7.org/2015/11/icisleri-bakani-altinokun-guzel-seyleri-silvan-duvarlarinda/
From start to end
The teeth of the wolf got blood on it, be scared (Wolf is mythological father of Turks, and sign of nationalism)
State is everywhere, girls we have arrived go hide in your caves (Cave as a reference to where guerillas in mountans live)
If you are a Turk be proud, if not obey.
The happy is the one who says I am a Turk
Turkish Republic (TC in short in turkish) is here where are the bastards.
The rest is some variation of symbols and writings of TC state, special forces, where is PKK?, There is state here etc...

kurekmurek

8 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by kurekmurek on January 6, 2016

Some more updates on the continuing curfews in Kurdish cities in Turkey.

In last moths the ban of going out of homes continues and clashes between Kurdish youth and Turkish State army and police escalate. Now the ban reached a total of more than one month in some districts.

3 Women politicians who were totally unarmed were killed by the state forces.They were trying to go a hospital to identify a body. They called people to help them on the phone. Amblucance servise said they won't go to that area under fire. Although many HDP people (including pm's) tried to reach state authorities (major especially) the authorities did not responded.
http://kurdishquestion.com/index.php/kurdistan/north-kurdistan/3-kurdish-politicians-massacred-by-turkish-state-forces-in-silopi.html
http://www.radikal.com.tr/turkiye/silopide-oldurulen-uc-kadin-yardim-istemis-1497058

Currently in Silopi and Cizre in last 20 days, 55 people were killed.
http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/459038/3_siyasi_kadina_kanli_pusu.html

Also in Silopi and Cizre people can not take and bury their dead. According to reports there are now 50 people in the hands of state whose not given back to their families. 10 of these are children. There is strong suspicion that these people were tortured while alive or after killed ( this also happened; like pulling dead bodies behind police vehicles)
http://www.diken.com.tr/sur-cizre-ve-silopide-10u-cocuk-50-cenaze-hala-defnedilemedi/

Joseph Kay

8 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Joseph Kay on January 15, 2016

1,000 (mostly academic) signatories of a letter calling for peace are apparently to be charged with treason. Police raids arrested 20+ this morning, while 'student fascist groups' have been marking the doors of those targetted and calling to 'spill their blood'.

C.Hélène

8 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by C.Hélène on January 20, 2016

Turquie : les travailleurs de Renault Bursa toujours mobilisés
Les ouvriers, par leur refus d’heures supplémentaires, ont provoqué une diminution de la production. Ce qui représente une baisse de 600 véhicules par jour dont une partie présente des défauts de fabrication et par conséquent doivent être revus.

http://www.lutte-ouvriere.org/breves/turquie-les-travailleurs-de-renault-bursa-toujours-mobilises-64968.html
19/01/2016

Suite à la grève du printemps 2015, partie de l'usine Renault de Bursa (Turquie) entraînant plusieurs dizaines de milliers de travailleurs de la métallurgie, le gouvernement turc a annoncé récemment une hausse du salaire minimum de plus de 35%. À Renault Bursa, les travailleurs se mobilisent à nouveau pour que cette augmentation soit répercutée sur tous les salaires ouvriers.
Ils font la grève des heures supplémentaires et manifestent régulièrement en fin d'équipe. Dans une vidéo datant de vendredi 15 janvier, on voit les travailleurs de l'équipe du matin se regrouper en arrivant, s'organiser selon les différents secteurs de l'usine, pour revendiquer la hausse de tous les salaires.
Ils crient à l'adresse de la direction "tu dois payer !", ou encore "tous ensemble !" et "Vive l'unité des travailleurs de Renault !
Cette vidéo est visible sur le lien suivant :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkFX4XUgxq0&feature=youtu.be

Entdinglichung

8 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on February 17, 2016

and another strike at Renault Bursa, still the demand to increase the minimum wage by 35%, according to Labournet Germany, no union involvement

https://communismeouvrier.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/renault-bursa-la-lutte-continue/

Entdinglichung

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on March 3, 2016

from a mainstream union source: http://www.industriall-union.org/turkey-renault-dismisses-workers-using-police-violence-instead-of-upholding-commitments

Fredo Corvo

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Fredo Corvo on March 11, 2016

Thanks to this news an article on the Renault Bursa strike could be made.
For the moment in Dutch only.
See http://arbeidersstemmen.wordpress.com

Translation into English:
http://www.left-dis.nl/tu/TurkeyWhenTheWorkersMakeTheirVoicesHeard.html

Earlier article:
http://www.left-dis.nl/tu/TurkeyErdoganIsPlayingAdangerousGame.html

Devrim

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on March 12, 2016

Which group are these articles from, Fredo?

Devrim

Fredo Corvo

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Fredo Corvo on March 12, 2016

Devrim

Which group are these articles from, Fredo?

Devrim

As mentioned:
http://arbeidersstemmen.wordpress.com
Not a group but a blog, neither an "anti-group" group.
See the blog for some articles translated from English into Dutch, URL at the bottom of the article.
Mail if you want translations of limited parts.
mailto:[email protected]

scarface

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by scarface on March 12, 2016

Pkk (kurdish resistance group) and leftist groups in turkey mainly defending armed struggle against the turkish state has just taken the decision to unite under the name of “United Revolution Movement of the Peoples/URMP”. http://www.diken.com.tr/pkk-ve-mlkp-dahil-10-orgut-halklarin-birlesik-devrim-hareketini-kurdu/
They declared that the united organization will fight against rising fascism backed mainly by ruling Islamic party (Justice and Development Party/AKP) in turkey.
They also highlighted that the situation is getting worse for the oppressed in turkey and if the jihadist, fascist AKP gangs will not be defeated, peoples in turkey will face a more bloody dictatorship. The only way to get out of this situation is getting organized and armament of the peoples (with the leadership of united movement).
This development is both crucial and remarkable as there has been an ongoing war between turkish army and ydgh (militant wing of youth organization of pkk in kurdish towns) since december 2015 in Kurdish towns of turkey (north Kurdistan) including cizre, silopi, diyarbekir, idil and etc. Tens of thousands has just forced to leave their homes and many civilians have died including children during the war.
This war which is spreading toward hakkari nowadays (a city near border of turkey with Iran and Iraq where pkk time to time controls the area and get most of the peoples support) may have the potential of evolving into a generalized civil war in turkey. The experts claim that the weather conditions are going to become more available in the coming days and provide Kurdish guerillas with the ability to move and camouflage easier. After the declaration, we may assume that there would be zone defending wars in the cities with the opening of new barricades and ditches even in the western Turkish cities. The other parties of the URMP get support from the suburbs of big cities mainly in the west of Turkey like İstanbul, Ankara, Mersin or Adana where police suppression is a daily routine killing young sympathizer continuously.
With the declaration, we may also assume that the ruling party is going to use the probable rising violence as an excuse for suppressing the leftist, unionists and democratic mass movements which has been in a paralyzed condition since the gezi movement in 2013.

Flint

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Flint on March 13, 2016

Article in english: http://en.hawarnews.com/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle-in-turkey-and-north-kurdistan/

scarface

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by scarface on March 13, 2016

Ankara explosion: At least 32 killed and 75 wounded after large blast in Turkish capital

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/12192759/Ankara-explosion-Several-wounded-in-centre-of-Turkish-capital-Kizilay.html

scarface

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by scarface on March 16, 2016

3 Turkish academics arrested over ‘terror propaganda’ charges

http://theturkishsun.com/news/3-turkish-academics-arrested-over-terror-propaganda-charges/

ISTANBUL | A local court in Istanbul has charged three academics with making terrorist propaganda and ordered them arrested pending the outcome of a trial.

Their arrests late on Tuesday came a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey should “redefine” terrorism and terrorists so that legal action can be expanded against anyone supporting terrorism — including legislators, academics and journalists.

The three Istanbul-based academics were among a group of more than 1,000 scholars who in January signed a declaration denouncing military operations against the PKK. The declaration angered Erdogan and led to legal proceedings against some. Erdogan lashed out at the signatories and said human rights violations in the southeast were being committed by terrorists, not by the state:

“Despite all of these facts, this crowd, which calls itself academics, accuses the state through a statement. Not only this, they also invite foreigners to monitor developments. This is the mentality of colonialism,” he said. Likening today’s situation with the Turkish War of Independence, Erdogan said the country was again facing “treason” from “so-called intellectuals.”

“Hey, you so-called intellectuals! You piece of academic garbage! You are not enlightened persons, you are dark. You are nothing like intellectuals. You are ignorant and dark, not even knowing about the east or the southeast. We know these places just like we know our home addresses,” he said, reiterating his position that Turkey’s problem is “not a Kurdish one, but one of terror.”

The three were detained for questioning earlier on Tuesday for holding a news conference last week during which they stood by the declaration.

Turkish Sun

scarface

8 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by scarface on March 16, 2016

"A police raid was carried out on the houses of eight lawyers from Libertarian Jurists Association who were taken into custody after the search towards this morning. The lawyers were not given any justification, there is a confidentiality order on the case. "

"In the police operation conducted this morning (March 16) in İstanbul, a police raid has been carried out on the houses of eight lawyers from Libertarian Jurists Association (ÖHD)."

http://bianet.org/english/law/173050-police-raid-on-lawyers-from-libertarian-jurists-association

Flint

7 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Flint on November 4, 2016

Erdogan is having the HDP arrested.

Spikymike

7 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on January 6, 2017

I posted a couple of items at the end of this thread, http://libcom.org/news/miliary-coup-turkey-15072016 that might have been better here.

Spikymike

6 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 26, 2017

I've added a further item to the linked thread mentioned in my post 86 above regarding the recent Turkish military bombing of the Syrian Kurdish regime despite USA opposition.
This thread could do with more updating by other comrades.

Spikymike

6 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 2, 2017

That last item also referred to here:
http://libcom.org/news/joint-patrol-ypg-us-army-02052017

Khawaga

6 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on May 2, 2017

This thread could do with more updating by other comrades.

Yeah, but it seems like many of our Turkish comrades have stopped posting which is unfortunate. I wonder what the reason for that is. I hope it's just them being fed up rather than having to refrain from posting due to the regime.

petey

6 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on May 2, 2017

Khawaga

This thread could do with more updating by other comrades.

Yeah, but it seems like many of our Turkish comrades have stopped posting which is unfortunate. I wonder what the reason for that is. I hope it's just them being fed up rather than having to refrain from posting due to the regime.

i think leo was on yesterday, but i see what you mean.

Spikymike

6 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on March 1, 2018

Short article reflecting on the current repression in Turkey here:
www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2018/no-1363-march-2018/turkey-whats-going

Spikymike

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 1, 2018

As a follow-up to the article I recommended above this article summarises something of the history of ethnic classifications and their political interpretation, misuse and dangers in the light of more recent internal repression by the Turkish government;
www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2018/no-1365-may-2018/ethnicity-sticky-wicket-or-slippery-slope

Spikymike

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 6, 2018

We should add to these internal dimensions of the conflict in Turkey the growing near-military skirmishes over energy resources in the Mediterranean and migration border clashes between Turkey and Greece, both NATO countries.

Spikymike

5 years 10 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 14, 2018

There hasn't been much interest in following up on my earlier linked material dealing with the growing repression in Turkey but maybe Erdogan's current state visit to the UK and the desperation of the UK government for commercial and military deals in the light of 'Brexit' and the USA/Iran confrontations as mentioned here, might reignite some interest and contributions from others;
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/13/theresa-may-under-fire-human-rights-as-turkish-president-lands-in-uk

Spikymike

5 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 30, 2018

In today's world I'm not sure how much value there is in a competition for ''the most dangerous man in the world'' but certainly Trump and Erdogan would qualify for inclusion on a very long list of the current ultra-nationalist leaders around the world dragging us into an increasing number of dangerous regional wars. I have posted a number of links to articles about Turkey from my post No91 on recently without getting much interest on this site so maybe this contribution from someone I've had my disagreements with on other texts might engender a bit more interest now:
https://libcom.org/library/president-erdogan-dangerous-president-trump

Spikymike

5 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on July 10, 2018

Erdogan was sworn in as the new 'all-powerful' President of Turkey yesterday (amidst the continuation of mass sackings of public employees and media shut downs) with 22 heads of state scheduled to attend the ceremony but none it seems from leading western and Nato powers such as the USA, Germany France or the UK - a sign of the slowly shifting alliances from the fallout of recent middle-eastern wars?

Spikymike

5 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on August 13, 2018

So now that Trump has increased tariffs on Turkeys steel production amidst continuing diplomatic rows between the two leaders on top of Turkeys ailing economy things are deteriorating fast and God wont help Erdogan out with this one. More details here:
https://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/turkey-total-meltdown/
and more along these lines from a liberal Guardian economist here;
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/12/turkey-crisis-widen-and-options-running-out-erdogan

Spikymike

5 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on August 24, 2018

I don't share the politics of the 'Weekly Worker' but this short article was quite useful in providing some historical background to the relationship between the state and private business interests in terms of private and public debt issues prior to the current crisis with the Turkish currency;
https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1216/nurtured-by-the-state/

I've provided a number of earlier linked articles under the Turkey news heading which others might find of interest.

Spikymike

5 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on September 7, 2018

Erdogan's pleas over the threat to Idlib fall on the deaf ears of his recent international 'friends'. See here:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/erdogan-calls-idlib-ceasefire-tehran-summit-180907122805420.html

Spikymike

5 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on September 20, 2018

So keeping this particular news line connected see also;
https://libcom.org/news/no-more-fake-charges-20092018

Spikymike

5 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 11, 2018

Seems the strained relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia just got another twist with the disappearance of Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. Despite accusations of Saudi 'human rights' abuse in this respect, rather laughably in the case of the AKP and friends, Erdogan is in no position just now to make any permanent break with the Saudis.
Latest here:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/jamal-khashoggi-case-latest-updates-181010133542286.html

Spikymike

5 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 23, 2018

This ongoing tale of regional rivalries in the 'middle-east' is very relevant to more recent developments in Turkey itself. See here:
https://libcom.org/blog/imperialist-manoeuvring-behind-khashoggi-affair-22102018

Spikymike

4 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on January 15, 2020

Turkey's recent maneuvers in the inter-imperialist wars of the middle east and the use of 'proxies' gets extended further east across the Mediterranean and more complex still as this report suggests:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/15/exclusive-2000-syrian-troops-deployed-to-libya-to-support-regime
and also laughably the Turkish government has complained to the Egyptian government about it's suppression of press freedom after Egyptian security forces raided the Cairo based Turkish news agency!

Spikymike

4 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on January 30, 2020

There is some more useful detail following my posted link above relating to the complex issues around exploration of the gas supplies in the Eastern Mediterranean and other historic conflicts and ideological factors here:
https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1282/a-new-adventure/

And the Guardian now reports that France has agreed to lend Greece a war ship as tensions between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey hot up again over these issues.

Spikymike

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on March 3, 2020

Another useful short summary of some of the issues mentioned in my post #104 above here;
https://worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2020/2020s/no-1387-march-2020/resource-war-oil-gas-and-aphrodite/
Can now add the further manipulation of the Syrian refugee crisis between Turkey and the EU.

Spikymike

3 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on June 26, 2020

Thus now the latest foray of the Turkish state military to Iraqi Kurdistan alongside their ongoing military war in Libya, KAF statement here:
https://libcom.org/forums/middle-east/we-condemn-turkish-state-attack-invasion-iraqi-kurdistan--26062020
I've tried to keep this thread going as there is a useful trail of linked texts charting the twists and turns of Turkey's regional imperialist aims and adventures not unrelated to it's internal struggles.

Spikymike

3 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on August 25, 2020

Following up post#104 tensions increase over rival naval military exercises between Greece and Turkey and their associated allies in the Mediterranean region as reported here:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53892896

Spikymike

3 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 3, 2020

More here analysing the Greek/Turkey conflict from a broadly international anti-capitalist perspective:
https://allianceofmesocialists.org/the-greek-turkey-imperialist-conflict-in-east-mediterranean/
Turkeys ambitions in the wider middle-east and near east also now involved the the recent flare-up of old ethno-nationalist state conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan (see latest news on Aljazeera online) and this news story here:
https://freedomnews.org.uk/azerbaijan-anarchist-detained-for-making-anti-militarist-statements/
Plus this news story connecting the possible use by Turkey (as previously elsewhere by Russia) of state contracted private armies in the same conflicts:
https://theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/28/syrian-rebel-fighters-prepare-to-deploy-to-azerbaijan-in-sign-of-turkeys-ambition
Edit: Adding this as well in an effort to keep these various items related to the Turkish states regional imperialist ambitions together.
https://libcom.org/news/anti-war-statement-azerbaijani-leftist-youth-02102020
Also this article on the Armenian 'diaspora':
https://theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/03/armenian-diaspora-feels-pull-of-another-war-kardashian-azerbaijan

Spikymike

3 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 9, 2020

Not a bad summary of the tightrope that the Turkish state is walking in it's various foreign 'adventures' here:
https://weeklyworker.co.uk/worker/1318/more-blood-and-tears

Spikymike

3 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 13, 2020

Also there is this very useful background text highlighting the overlap with Iranian interests in the region and the complexities of other competing interests between Russia, Turkey, Iran etc in the region;
https://dw.com/en/iran-fears-spillover-from-nagorno-karabakh/a-55250556
Thanks to ajj for that.

Spikymike

3 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 16, 2020

A very useful longer article here adding material to that in my post #110 above:
http://www.leftcom.org/articles/2020-10-15/nagorno-karabakh-war-for-workers-the-real-enemy-lies-at-home

Spikymike

3 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on November 10, 2020

A longer article which summarises recent developments and draws together the links between internal political/economic crisis and risky imperialist ambitions by the Turkish state here:
https://www.leftcom.org/en/artcles/2020-11-09/turkey-s-imperialist-aggression-threatens-to-set-more-than-the-mediterranean-alight

Spikymike

3 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on December 15, 2020

Further clashes between the PKK and KDP forces in the north of Iraq against a background of Turkish state military involvement reported here:
https://al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/peshmerga-krg-kdp-kurdistan-iraq-pkk-dead-clashes-killed.html

Spikymike

3 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on December 23, 2020

Can Dundarn, not a radical but a journalist sentenced to jail whilst in exile for exposing the truth about the Turkish state's early involvement in the Syrian War. Not the first and probably not the last. reported here:
https://aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/23/turkey-sentences-exiled-journalist-can-dundar-to-27-years-in-jail

Spikymike

3 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on February 25, 2021

State crimes and criminals past and present:
https://theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/25/turkeys-mobsters-step-out-of-shadows-and-into-public-sphere

Spikymike

3 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on February 28, 2021

A short critical left communist comment on the recent university student protests sparked off by the political appointment of a new Rector here:
http://www.leftcom.org/en/articles/2021-02-26/student-protests-in-turkey-a-communist-critique
I suppose essentially correct in it's democratic reformist classification but in it's style heavy on the denunciation and thin or weak in supporting analysis about the role of the university, the class relation of students there and the divisions between the conservative and liberal bourgeoise in relation to the oppression of minorities. Doesn't really pose any alternative communist practice in relation to oppressed minorities within the everyday class struggle. Too short for that but then not sure who it was aimed at - doubt it would get much feedback as a leaflet distributed to the university students but who knows! There is better stuff elsewhere on the CWO website.

Spikymike

2 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on March 24, 2021

'Istanbul no longer'! Well conventions are no protection but I suppose this reflects a growing trend in the wrong direction;
https://aljazeera.com/news/2021/03/20/turkey-pulls-out-of-treaty-protecting-women-from-violence
meanwhile Turkey faces growing financial turmoil around it's currency and stock market moves.

Spikymike

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 5, 2021

The continuing Turkish military attacks on the PKK stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan supported by the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish statelet as reported here:
https://theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/04/iraq-turkey-pkk-drones-kurds-kurdistan

Spikymike

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 6, 2021

The Turkish Constitional Court 'shut down' the left-wing Kurdish lead HDP on March the 17th and bans many existing political representatives from standing for re-election in further repressive measures against political opposition to Erdogan's party.
In addition to that the government detains many retired senior navel officers that criticised Erdogan's geo-political canal building alongside the narrow Bosphorus strait which they claimed could threaten the 1937 Montreeux Convention on free passage for civil and Black Sea countries military vessels on to the Mediterranean. See here:
https://theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/05/turkish-ex-admirals-arrested-over-criticism-of-erdogans-crazy-canal-scheme

Spikymike

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 22, 2021

And further to the above post Erdogan now walks a diplomatic tightrope in discussions with Turkeys 2 Black Sea neighbours over the continuing military dispute between the Ukraine and Russia as Russian forces continue their build up 100miles from the western Ukrainian border whilst the Ukrainian government makes please to the USA and NATO for support. Edit and also reported that the USA has requested Turkey to allow it's 2 battleships access through the straights into the Black sea.
Edit: Here a reflection on the complexities of the Erdogan/Putin relationship over recent decades:
https://aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/ukraine-tensions-test-erdogan-and-putins-complex-relationship

baboon

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baboon on April 23, 2021

A bit more on Turkey:

https://en.internationalism.org/content/17007/turkey-and-imperialist-free-all

Spikymike

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on May 31, 2021

It is also reported in a sign of the times that Turkish state agents have seized Gulen's nephew Selahaddin Gulen in an 'overseas operation' and removed him back to Turkey for detention and trial on charges of terrorism.

Spikymike

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on July 21, 2021

The Mediterranean/Cyprus and Erdogan's Two state 'solution' is pushed forward against the opposition of Greece and the EU ensuring the continuation of arguments and military threats regarding gas and other economic resources in that area.

Spikymike

2 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on October 25, 2021

Erdogan plays to his political base despite a failing economy and risk to the Turkish Lira with a flurry of hot air as here:
https://aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/23/turkeys-erdogan-orders-explusion-of-10-western-ambassadors
or maybe here:
https://aljazeera.com/economy/2021/10/25/turkish-lira-drops-to-record-low-on-erdogan-comments

Spikymike

2 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on January 8, 2022

Update:
And here a short text relating connections between the Turkish government and its support for the
Kazakhstan regime:
https://anarchistcommunism.org/2022/01/08/turkey-a-powder-barrel/
Note in addition the disparity between the Russian lead military intervention in that last country and it's different hands off approach in Armenia resulting from the more complex Russia/Turkey relationship.

Spikymike

2 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on February 7, 2022

Class struggle report here:
https://libcom.org/blog/turkey-workers-are-trying-find-their-own-voice-all-over-world-04022022
and here:
https://libcom.org/blog/inflationary-struggles-after-dismissal-their-work-mates-workers-occupy-farplas-factory-turk