The PUK security forces (Asayesh), launched a campaign against activists in Kurdistan. The PUK controls half of the autonomous zone in Iraq's north.
Following mass protests against poverty, miserable conditions and corruption, arrests occured at Sulaimaniyah, Kalaar, Kifri, Darbandikhaan, Chamchamaal, Rania, and other towns and villages. The Kurd forces, are still searching door to door, often arresting people at night, according to KurdishMedia.com.
Tahir Tofiq a journalist for Shaqam Weekly, was arrested in a protest at Derbendixan, while doing his job as a journalist. He is on a hunger strike at Kani-Gome Prison, protesting for freedom of speech. Despite attempts by the Lawyers’ Association of Kurdistan to secure his release, the PUK Asayish refused to release him.
Aryan Mahmood was killed in the protest at Kalaar. In addition 13 strikers in the Tasluja cement factory in Sulaimaniyah, were injured.
The PUK chose to release Saleh Ahmed Sharif, a killer and kidnapper of women, in a deal negotiated by tribal leaders, with the PUK. Such backwards and anti-women practises, into the existing justice system, will only pave the way for more killings and kidnappings.
The Left Worker-Communist Party of Iraq, call upon all workers, socialist, and humanitarian organizations and individuals, to protest the oppressive campaign of the PUK against the people, and to demand the immediate release of all detainees from the prisons of the PUK. See: Left Worker-Communist Party of Iraq.
RENEGADE EYE
14 comments:
Kurdistan is supposed to be our success story in Iraq.That means this won't get much, if any, press. Glad you are getting the information out.
Kind of unrelated but I read a while back Turkey was thinking about sending troops into Kurdistan. They wanted to go after some PKK members or something. That would be quite the conundrum for our foreign policy makers. I have a few Kurdish friends that used to live in Northern Iraq and I found it interesting that they would say they were more worried about the Turks than Saddam.
Kurdistan is supposed to be our success story in Iraq.That means this won't get much, if any, press.
Quite to the contrary. It means it will get FAR MORE coverage in the leftist media than far worse abuses, against their own people, committed by Hezbollah, Hamas, the Syrian government, the Libyan government, and other darlings of the Pol Pot Left. At least in Kurdistan people are protesting and the press is reporting it. Any worker complaining about his workling conditions in Damascus, Tripoli, or Gaza, is immediately shot dead as a Zionist spy...
Until the Left is able to identify REAL OPPRESSORS, they will continue to carry water for totalitarian rulers and be part of the problem, instead of the solution.
This article, presented without any context, is very misleading. Kurdistan had free elections. The arrersts were therefore carried by ELECTED officials and judges. Officials and judges in SYRIA, LIBYA and other dictatorships have never been elected by the people. They should be condemned first.
I also notice Basra workers are on strike link
Turkish incursions have always been a possibility because of their war of oppression against the Kurds on the Turkish side of the border, although I've been (pleasantly) surprised at how little of this there has been in the last three years.
Sonia: "Any worker complaining about his workling conditions in Damascus, Tripoli, or Gaza, is immediately shot dead as a Zionist spy..." please don't talk rubbish. Hyperbole doesn't do your argument any favours.
George Bush says it's up to history to decide if his actions were worthy. I believe that history will find that one of the most destructive and destabilizing effects of U.S. actions in the Middle East over the span of the Administration will be the eventual second phase of the Iraq Civil War, Kurdistan's fight for autonomy and independence, and the subsequent drawing in of Iran and Turkey. Humanity will quake and shudder in despair for many years to come, all because of these evil men and their arrogance. I hope through some twist of fate men like Tahir Tofiq and other in the region can bring peace and freedom to their people.
This is an amazing opportunity for a leftist movement to take foot in Iraq. Clearly there is a need for some drastic reforms to take place in Iraq and although the nation needs law and order before they can start to work on social work, something like this is very interesting.
It will also be interesting to see how our beloved President decides to deal with opposition parties, if a socialist group does indeed arise, in Iraq that could possibly take away his imperialistic footing.
Since we're on the topic of Kurds...
Welcome Fred.
Listening to that NPR interview is sado-masochist.
Another evil story about human rights abuses although I have to say that I have to look further into this before making further comments. Nevertheless, it possible to draw the same conclusions that in every part of the world the struggle for power and control know no limits and human life is worthless and expendable.
Corruption, greed and murder are hallmarks of oppressive ruling militias and anyone who tries to stand in their way will be placed out of the way literally.
Political freedom may never come for these people and many more around the world. One can only be in awe of those who stand up to oppressive regimes. Who or what can help them?
I will comment further once have looked more into this and as this debate hots up...
Sonia: Granted that there are worse abusers than the Kurds. It is not reassuring, to tell someone they could be arrested by worse governments. Granted others are worse. Several people in Texas, are in prison for virtual life sentences, for drug use. The laws were made by elected officials. That is almost beside the point.
Unfortunately the Kurdish leadership, only has limited nationalist goals. They don't see the big picture, as in Iran, because they're disruptive to the Iranian government, they are supported by the USA. See what would happen, if they actually tried to withdraw from Iraq, Iran, Syria,Turkey and part of Caucasus.
I am woefully ignorant as well. Are these political arrests because the people are demanding more autonomy? Are there religious undertones? Whatup?beatroot will be so pissed we are talking about foreign issues again.
beatroot will be so pissed we are talking about foreign issues again
LOL!!!!
Troutsky: There has been an eruption of human rights violations from both of the main Kurdish parties, in Iraq. The theme has been across Northern Iraq, is services as water, fuel are declining, while the nationalist leaders are enriching themselves. Other protests include strikes and opposing deals with clans, that allow rapist-murderers to go free.
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