I would like to draw the Forum's attention to the critical situation of the Kurdish
ethnic minority.
The Turkish government launched a series of air strikes on the Kurdish regions of
North and East Syria (Rojava), 15 civilians were killed. These types of attacks not only
destabilise the region, but prompt concern over the rise of ISIS once more, because of
Turkey’s deliberate strikes on prisons and camps that hold more than 6000 ISIS
members.
In tandem, Turkey is escalating its threats to occupy another two main Kurdish cities,
Kobanê and Manbij, which puts the lives of more than 400 thousand civilians in
danger.
At the same exact time, following the brutal murder of Jîna Amini and the massive
protests that have emerged in all around the world, the Iranian government
however, has responded to these peaceful protests with the most intense repression,
especially in the Kurdish cities.
Since the beginning of the protests, the Iranian military forces have killed 112 Kurdish
citizens, of whom 14 children and 7 women. Thousands have been injured, and more
than 5000 citizens arrested.
These protests are of course not the first of their kind, given the relentless
harassment of religious and national minorities in Iran over the past 43 years.
As the crackdown continues in Kurdistan, many human rights organizations are
concerned about a new ethnic cleansing massacre taking place in the cities of
Mahabad, Piranshahr and Bukan which are under siege.
Moreover, the Iranian government has launched a series of attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan
region by using suicide drones which resulted in the death of over 20 Kurdish citizens.
We urge the United Nations and the international community to stop both Turkey
and Iran from massacring Kurdish civilians. Intervene to prevent an imminent
humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East, protecting the Kurds and their right to
live in freedom!