In recent weeks the Belgian, Italian and French authorities have carried out raids on Kurdish journalists working for the broadcaster Roj TV and political activists for the newly founded Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). 

In a press conference held today, GUE/NGL MEP Jürgen Klute expressed his outrage at recent acts of repression committed by EU governments against Kurdish journalists and political activists.

"European governments are criminalizing all Kurdish political organisations, as well as the Kurdish community living in their own countries. While in Turkey, there is a strong public opinion in favour of a peaceful approach to the Kurdish question, European governments don't even note the opportunities that they are failing to take. The EU should take a positive, mediating role in the conflict but backward steps are all that are coming from governments" Klute said.

The GUE/NGL group will request the holding of a debate in Parliament to discuss the destructive activities of European governments on the Kurdish question.

Attached please find an open letter to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU and High Representative Ashton on this issue.

GUE/NGL PRESS CONTACT

Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 646628

Sonja Giese + 32 486 94 50 21

David Lundy + 32 485 50 58 12