top of page

STATEMENT

#HandsOffKurds

On 27 November 2024, the Kurdish Community Centre in Haringey was raided in what we believe was an unjust and heavy-handed operation by counter-terrorism police. Doors were forcibly broken down, members of our community were arrested without credible evidence, and our vital community space was sealed off. Following this raid, police distributed leaflets across the borough, spreading harmful and misleading portrayals of our peaceful community.

The Kurdish community has always been a positive and integral part of British society. For over 50 years, we have lived and worked alongside you, contributing to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of this country. Many of us came to Britain seeking refuge from systemic oppression in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, where our language, culture, and political identity were brutally suppressed. Across these nations, Kurds have faced imprisonment, violence, and persecution simply for asserting their identity and their right to exist.

The Kurdish Community Centre became a lifeline for many of us—a place to preserve our heritage, support one another, and contribute meaningfully to society. Kurdish fighters were once celebrated by UK politicians, the media, and the public for their role in defeating ISIS. Now, the UK government appears to prioritise trade and defence ties with the fascist Turkish regime, targeting our community to appease an oppressive regime.

The scale of this operation is deeply troubling. Riot police and armed units patrol our streets, police helicopters and drones circle overhead, and homes have been littered with leaflets vilifying our entire community. This disproportionate and wasteful use of resources is an affront to justice and undermines public trust. The closure of the Kurdish Community Centre has left many, including women, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals, without essential support. Outside the centre, eight individuals have begun a hunger strike to protest these oppressive measures, while one detainee, A.P, has also commenced a hunger strike in his cell, risking his health to demand justice.

We unequivocally condemn these raids and demand:

1.         Immediate Release of Detainees: Release all individuals detained during the raid, including hunger striker Ali Poyraz, to address the harm caused by unjustified arrests.

            2.         Reopening of the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC): Restore the KCC’s operations to reinstate critical community services and rebuild trust.

            3.         Independent Investigation: Conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry into police tactics, resource use, and the raid’s justification to ensure accountability.

            4.         Reform of Counter-Terrorism Laws: Introduce clearer guidelines, stronger oversight, and safeguards to prevent misuse against peaceful communities and activists.

            5.         Public Apology: Issue a formal apology from the Metropolitan Police and local authorities, acknowledging harm caused and reaffirming commitments to fairness and justice.

            6.         End Harassment of the Kurdish Community: Stop actions that stigmatize the Kurdish community, including targeted scrutiny, hate speech, and dissemination of harmful narratives.

            7.         Legislative Safeguards: Implement reforms to protect marginalized communities from systemic abuses and ensure fair, inclusive policing practices.

 

These demands aim to secure justice, prevent future abuses, and restore trust between the Kurdish community and state institutions.

We ask for your solidarity during this challenging time. Stand with us to demand the reopening of our community centre, the release of all detainees, and an end to the criminalisation of our community. Together, we can ensure that justice, fairness, and truth prevail.

 

Thank you for standing with us.

Unity of Democratic Organisations Britain

We stand united against criminalisation of our community. Our fight for justice, equality, and truth will continue.

bottom of page