NEWS CENTRE - Kurdish politicians and institutions in the UK have called on the government, parliament and Foreign Office to “take action for Rojava” through their campaign and diplomatic initiatives regarding the attacks on Rojava.

 

While Kurds in the UK organise mass actions against the attacks on North and East Syria (Rojava) under the slogans ‘Defend Rojava’ and ‘End the War Against the Kurds’, Kurdish politicians and institutions continue their diplomatic struggle through signature campaigns and letters. 

 

Labour Party for Kurds: A threat to national security

 

‘Kurds for Labour’, a group of Kurdish politicians within the Labour Party, sent a comprehensive letter to the Foreign Office in response to the severe attacks and political siege faced by the Kurdish people in North and East Syria (Rojava). The letter, sent by Kurds for Labour spokesperson and Kurdish politician Sarbaz Barznji, criticised the disregard for the Kurds' historic struggle against ISIS and warned that this would have serious consequences not only morally but also for the national security of the United Kingdom.

 

The Rojava model is targeted

 

The letter, which highlighted the decisive role of Kurdish forces in defeating DAISH, stated: ‘If the United Kingdom is safer today, it is directly thanks to the resistance of Kurdish fighters.’ However, the letter also highlighted that former DAISH members have reorganised under different names, emphasising that this poses a direct threat to both the region and Europe. The letter continued with a warning that destroying the democratic Rojava model established in North and East Syria would drag the region into authoritarianism and radicalism. It was stated that what is being imposed on the Kurdish people is not integration but erasure and surrender, and the UK was called upon to take urgent diplomatic steps to protect Kurdish civilians and support democratic pluralism.

 

Letter to the Foreign Office

 

Feryal Clark Demirci, a Kurdish Alevi Member of Parliament for the Labour Party in the UK Parliament, has once again written a parliamentary question and letter to the Foreign Office. Feryal Clark Demirci stated that Syrian forces advanced into areas east of Aleppo following the withdrawal of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and that gangs released prisoners and carried out discriminatory attacks against Kurdish communities. Stating that these developments are too serious to be met with mere concern, Feryal Clark Demirci called for the condemnation of violence at the UN, targeted sanctions, increased diplomatic efforts and the provision of humanitarian aid. Noting that targeted sanctions against individuals and institutions responsible for violations should be considered, Feryal Clark Demirci warned that failure to act would normalise violence and deepen the humanitarian crisis and displacement. 

 

Campaign by Kurdish institutions

 

Kurdish Progress and the Kurdish People's Assembly have launched a campaign titled ‘Stop Attacks on Kurds in Northern Syria’ regarding the attacks on Rojava. The campaign serves as an important call for parliamentarians to bring the attacks in Kurdish-populated areas to the agenda and for the government to intervene more actively. Supporters of the campaign include academics, businesspeople, mayors, trade unionists, and Kurds and their friends. 

 

The campaign text emphasises that civilians, particularly in the Kobanê and Cizirê regions, are facing harsh conditions such as bombardment and displacement. It also demands an immediate halt to attacks on Kurdish civilians, the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the region, the dispatch of independent international observers, and that the UK prioritise the safety and political representation of Kurds in its relations with Syria. It also reminds that the Kurdish people are one of the United Kingdom's key allies in the fight against DAISH and stresses that the international community must fulfil its responsibility to protect this struggle and the rights of the Kurds. 

 

The campaign has yielded results

 

The signatures collected as part of the campaign will be presented to Members of Parliament, followed by the UK Parliament and the Foreign Office.

 

Responding to letters sent as part of the campaign, Labour MP Catherine West emphasised the UK government's efforts to maintain the ceasefire, protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid. She also stated that she had submitted a parliamentary question to defend the rights of the Kurdish people and would continue to follow the issue.