Kurdish representatives took part in the annual conference of the ruling Labour Party in the UK. Talks emphasised the importance of a joint struggle against the oppression and violence against the Kurdish people and the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan.
The conference was held in Liverpool during the first term of government of the Labour Party, which came to power after 14 years, following the elections of 4 July.
Thousands of delegates and spectators attended the three-day conference, which opened with speeches by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Panels on science, technology, energy, social and economic issues were held throughout the conference. This year’s conference was attended by Kurdish representatives from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Kurdish People’s Assembly, the Kurdish People’s Assembly in Britain, Berdan Öztürk, Co-Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and Hassan Mohammed Ali, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD).
Kurdish representatives met with members of the House of Lords and MPs to discuss the political developments, attacks and occupations in Kurdistan, as well as the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan in Turkish custody in İmralı Prison Island.
Kurds for Labour, which lobbies on behalf of Kurds in Britain, organised a panel discussion with the participation of Kurdish politicians.
Feryal Clark, who was appointed the Minister of Science and Technology, former Lambeth Mayor Sarbaz Barznji and Enfield Southgate MP Bambos Charalambous participated in the panel. The discussion drew attention to the oppression and denial policies against the Kurdish people and called for solidarity with the British labour movement.
During the conference, Kurdish representatives held a meeting with Baroness Frances O’Grady, former Secretary General of the British Trade Union Congress, on the current situation in Rojava.
During the meeting, it was noted that Turkey, Russia and Iran have developed a common position with the Assad regime against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. MSD representative Hassan Mohammed Ali stated that Britain should put diplomatic pressure on Turkey to take a stance to give up the war. Baroness O’Grady stated that she plans to visit Rojava and meet with the local people.
Berdan Öztürk, co-spokesperson of the DEM Party’s Foreign Affairs Committee, drew attention to the connection between the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish question in Turkey and the Middle East and emphasised that the negotiations in İmralı would be key to a solution. He said that British politicians putting pressure on Turkey would contribute to the solution of the Kurdish question.
In a meeting with John Mann, a member of the House of Lords, it was emphasised that Britain needs to develop stronger relations with the North and East Syrian Administration. Mann stated that there are opportunities for strengthening relations in this new government period.
On the final day of the conference, Kurdish representatives will continue their meetings with MPs and trade union representatives. The programme will conclude with a ‘Kurds for Labour’ reception, which is expected to be attended by hundreds of Kurds.
Source: ANF News