MP responds to UK Prime Minister’s ‘Kurdish terrorism’ remarks

The MP also highlighted the role that the Kurds have played in the ongoing war against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom has responded to the “Kurdish terrorism” remarks made by Prime Minister Theresa May during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Britain last month.

In a letter to May on behalf of her constituents, Labour and Co-op MP for Edmonton Kate Osamor expressed the concerns of the Kurdish community in the UK about the comments the Prime Minister made during a joint press conference with Erdogan on May 15.

May had said that her country was a “true friend” of Turkey’s and used the phrase “Kurdish terrorism” about the Kurds’ decades-long armed campaign against Ankara to secure linguistic, political rights and self-rule.

In her letter, Osamor said her “constituents were particularly irked by your remark that Turkey experiences ‘extraordinary pressures from Kurdish terrorism’ and have expressed their strong condemnation of these as they feel this is actively ‘labeling 40-million people as terrorists.’”

“My constituents are deeply worried about repercussions from the remarks you have made and fear that it will encourage racist attacks by extremist Turkish groups in the UK against Kurdish people,” she added.

The MP also highlighted the role that the Kurds have played in the ongoing war against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, particularly the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) who “have been the most important and effective” ally of the international coalition and “continue to defend humanity.”

Osamor reminded May “of the crucial part that the Kurdish community has played in the vibrant migrant communities across the United Kingdom,” mainly through local businesses, community centers, and important cultural activities.

“The Kurdish community across the UK…are deeply hurt and worried about your comment,” she stated, calling on May to “directly address” their concerns and “to reassure and ensure them of your support.”