wfn.org | Situation of Kurdish People

[Sheila MESA <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release
For Immediate Use
19 February 1999

STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE
AND THE ARREST OF ABDULLAH OCALAN

The following statement was made at a press conference held in the
Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, this afternoon (Friday, 19 February) at
1505hrs by Ms Kristine Greenaway, Director of Communication for the
World Council of Churches.

The statement was preceded by the reading of an appeal by Mr Ismael, a
member of the Kurdish community in Switzerland.  A copy of this (in
French only) is available on request.

Statement by World Council of Churches:

At around 1400hrs this afternoon, Friday 19 February, members of the
Kurdish community in Switzerland came to the World Council of
Churches at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.

Leaders of the group met the WCC General Secretary, Rev. Dr Konrad
Raiser, and presented him with an appeal concerning Abdullah Ocalan.

The group expressed its concern over the arrest and detention of their
leader Abdullah Ocalan by the Turkish authorities and called on the WCC
to intervene in this matter.

The WCC has followed the issue of the Kurdish people over the years. 
Given the WCC's stated commitment to human rights and
self-determination, the WCC calls on its member churches in Europe to
seize this opportunity and urge their respective governments to seek a
peaceful political solution to the plight of the Kurdish people.

The Kurdish community has expressed concerns about the physical
safety and security of Abdullah Ocalan.  The WCC appeals to the Turkish
government to ensure Mr Ocalan's safety and that he can receive visits
from his lawyers.  The WCC further appeals to the Turkish authorities to
ensure Mr Ocalan receives a fair trial in accordance with international
norms and procedures of the Rule of Law. 

**********
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 338, in
more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions.  The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but
works cooperatively with the WCC.  The highest governing body is the
Assembly, which meets approximately every seven years.  The WCC
was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Its staff is
headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church
in Germany.

World Council of Churches
Press and Information Office
Tel:  (41.22) 791.61.52/51
Fax:  (41.22) 798 13 46
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http://www.wcc-coe.org

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CH-1211 Geneva 2