Withdraw Anti-Terror Draft, Stop Operations

Women members of 11 organisations in Istanbul gathered on Saturday in front of the city's historic Galatasaray Lyceum where they staged a 5 minute sitting protest against the proposed Anti-Terror Law (TMK) saying it promised no solution to the Kurdish problem.

A statement was read out on behalf of the organisations by Gayal Tekin from the Amargi women cooperative after the five-minute protest.

Tekin's statement emphasised that the chauvinist wave of reaction [against the Kurds] in western Turkey and escalating anti-Kurdish violence could be observed in every day social life and stressed that as the problem was not a security problem itself, it needed to be solved through democratic means.

"These developments are affecting us in every walk of life" the statement said. "Escalation of chauvinism is not only reflected in the lynch attempts on the streets or acts of violence. Women get their share of this violence within their family, on the streets, at work and in every field.

"The TMK draft threatens all circles. We know the TMK draft means more oppression and violence and we want this bill to be withdrawn. Us women who are the first victims of violence and operations are on the side of a solution".

The event was attended by women from the Amargi Women Cooperative, Workings Women Association (EKD), Peace Mothers, Free Women Movement, Rainbow Women Association, Prisoners Relatives Support and Solidarity Association (TUHAD), Mesopotamia Culture Centre (MKM), Democratic Society Party (DTP), Labout Party (EMEP), Socialist Democracy Party (SDP), Labour Movement Party (EHP) (AD/KO/II/YE)