Free Kani Yilmaz!

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

Reply-To: kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu
From: Kurdistan Committee of Canada <kcc at magi.com>
Subject: Free Kani Yilmaz!

KURD-A News
May 4, 1995

Free Kani Yilmaz!

     In October 1994, Kani Yilmaz, the European Representative of
the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was arrested on the most flimsy
charges. It is difficult to comprehend the actions of the British
authorities in this matter.
     There are political reasons behind the long duration of his
detention. Great Britain isn't even afraid to break its own laws to
do this.
     The arrest of Kani Yilmaz was a refined attack against the
Kurdish movement. His extradition to Germany is part of this
scenario. The recent wave of arrests against Kurdish politicians
have also been carried out for dubious reasons.
     Great Britain cannot hide behind its argument that Kani Yilmaz
is simply being deported to Germany. After his trial, which begins
on May 4, Kani Yilmaz must be set free. The detention of Kani
Yilmaz is a service to the destructive special war being waged by
the Turkish army. Instead of allowing the conflict to become worse,
steps must be taken to find a political and democratic solution.
The current negotiations between Great Britain and Iran, at a time
when Great Britain is acting as a party for the Turkish occupation
army and Turkish state terrorism, are a contradiction.
     The continued detention of Kani Yilmaz, who is a man honoured
by our people, is trying the patience and sensibilities of our
people. The increasing tension which is caused by the continued
detention of Kani Yilmaz is not in Great Britain's interest. We
call on the British public to protest against these politics and to
show solidarity with the Kurdish people.

Ali Garzan,
ERNK European Spokesperson