|
*
Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq fear for their lives - women ask for support
and solidarity
Six
participants of a women’s delegation organized by the International Free
Women’s Foundation (IFWF) reached the refugee camp at Maxmur on September
13th, 2002. The camp is situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from the
town of Mosul in the area of Northern Iraq controlled by the government in
Baghdad.
The
aim of the delegation was to investigate the psychological and social situation
of women and children living in the camp, in order to give long-term support to
the work of refugee women themselves - work which has included the setting up of
a women’s centre at the camp. By taking care of all the needs of women and
children traumatized by war, by organizing literacy courses, education and
health care courses, the women try to improve their own situation and that of
their families. They do this by means of whatever resources are available to
them - although there is very little. To support their initiative, the
delegation handed over donations and useful materials to the representatives of
the women’s centre, itself built with the help of a campaign by the IFWF
during the last year.
Today
nearly 10, 000 Kurdish refugees live in the camp. They were forced to flee their
homes ten years ago, after the destruction of their villages in the
Turkish-Iraqi border region, by Turkish military forces. Repeated attacks forced
the refugees several times into new, painful migration movements. Due to the US
government’s announcements and threats of a new war, the refugees are in fear
of their lives again. Although the camp, which was established in 1998 near the
small town of Maxmur, is presently under the protection of the UNHCR, women at
the camp, and other refugees, expressed their fears at the prospect of a new war
in the region. Referring to their past experiences, they stated that there
exists no guarantee for their lives. In previous military operations by Turkish
security forces inside Northern Iraq - for example between 1995 and 1996 - the
UNHCR withdrew protection from the camp. As a result, everyone at the camp faced
armed attacks and blockades by themselves until they secured the support of
international observers or other protection; more than 40 infants died of hunger
and malnuitrition during a food embargo on the camp which lasted for three
months. In talks with members of the women’s delegation, women at the camp
emphasized their wish for a safe return to their home villages. But
unfortunately, they still cannot see any guarantee for their lives and human
rights in Turkish territory either, given present conditions in that State.
Mothers
at the camp said: “As Kurdish mothers we have been forced to live as refugees
on our own soil. And so we appeal to the public: Don’t forget us! We ask you
to show by your support, that you have not forgotten us. Let’s work together
for peace and freedom. This appeal is not an appeal for pity, but an appeal for
humanitarian support and solidarity!”
We
pass on this appeal of the women from the women`s centre in Maxmur camp to
people everywhere and to international institutions. As IFWF we will continue
our support campaign, and we ask all humanitarian and international bodies as
well as women’s organizations for their help and involvement.
In
the name of the board of the IFWF
Nazli
Ciftci; Amsterdam
|
