Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, will join members of the Kurdish community in London this Sunday [24 May] to address the ninth AGM of Fed-Bir, the Kurdish Federation in the UK.
Jean, a longstanding champion of Kurdish rights in London and Europe, said:
“I am delighted to be joining Fed-Bir again for their AGM.
"For years, the Federation has carried out its important work – promoting Kurdish culture and identity in London, supporting Kurds here and around the world. Fed-Bir also understands the struggle of others for justice and peace, as their expression of solidarity with the Tamil community shows.”
Last month, Jean met Leyla Zana, the leading Kurdish politician, former prisoner of conscience and European Parliament Sakharov prize winner to discuss her forthcoming court case to appeal against her recent ten year sentence [1]. Jean signed an open letter to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, in March, expressing concern over Ms Zana’s arrest and sentencing, and calling on the British Government to use its influence in supporting her case.
Jean added:
“I was fortunate enough to meet Leyla Zana again this year. Her courageous commitment to her cause is an inspiration to the Kurdish people, and to all those who seek justice and equality around the world. We shall be monitoring the progress of her upcoming court case as a test of justice and democratic pluralism in Turkey.
"I welcome recent reports that suggest that a settlement to the conflict in Turkey, which has claimed over 40,000 lives, might at last be on the agenda. [2] This is a small sign of hope in what has been a devastating era, but it must not be allowed to eclipse the repression which many Kurdish people in the country are still suffering. Let us hope that this might also mark progress for the Kurds in Iran and elsewhere.
“The international community must put pressure on Turkey to ensure it conforms to human rights standards. The EU has a crucial role to play since Turkey’s proposed entry to the European Union must rest on a commitment to democracy, equality and justice for all.”
The ninth AGM of Fed-Bir, the Kurdish Federation in the UK, takes place this Sunday 24 May from 2pm to 7pm at the Kurdish Community Centre, Fairfax Hall, 11 Portland Gardens, London N4 1HU.
ENDS
Notes
With three other campaigners for Kurdish rights, Leyla Zana was imprisoned from 1994 to 2004 for alleged membership of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey. During her imprisonment she won the support of the European Parliament, which awarded her the Sakharov human rights award in 1995. In December 2008, Leyla Zana was sentenced to a further 10 years in prison after a court ruled that comments she had made in public speeches about the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were in breach of the penal code and anti-terror laws. Her appeal will be heard by a court in Diyarbakir on 2 June.
[2] See http://www.guardian.co.uk