The Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) condemns the brutal sentences in the ‘Kobani Case’ against dozens of Kurdish politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey.
After years of politically motivated trials against 108 politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), today the Turkish courts unjustly sentenced dozens of Kurdish politicians to lengthy prison terms. The so-called “Kobani Case” is yet another display by President Erdogan and his radical government, which includes ultra-nationalists, to suppress Kurdish voices struggling for freedom and self-determination.
The “Kobani Case” refers to an event where Kurdish politicians, alongside thousands of civilians, protested against ISIS in 2014 and called on the Turkish government to intervene and help civilians. Today’s ruling was based on decade-old speeches by the Kurdish politicians.
These actions by the Turkish government are part of a longstanding pattern by Erdogan and his administration, which includes sacking and jailing elected Kurdish officials and jailing thousands of innocent Kurds.
Today’s verdict coincides with the continued shameful silence of the international community and governments in light of ongoing human rights violations by Erdogan and the Turkish government. We remind the international community that several politicians sentenced today are women, elderly, and influential peaceful figures.
The WKI stands with the political prisoners in Turkey and their struggle for freedom and self-determination.
