Germany bans demanding removal of the PKK ban

The PKK ban, introduced by the German state in 1993, enters its 27th year on November 26 this year. While Kurdish institutions and left/democratic organizations in Germany have been preparing several events to mark the anniversary of the ban, the website “verbot-aufheben.com” (lift the ban) has been providing information on the subject for about a year.

The ‘Lift the Ban’ website provides information on the damage caused by the ban to German democracy, specifically to the Kurdish people and demands an immediate and to the ban. German security units have banned and blocked the website and related social media accounts.

AGAINST FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION

The Lift the Ban Initiative, which created the website, reacted to the ban stating that the German state’s decision violates the freedom of thought and expression secured by German laws.

The initiative defined the recent ban as a part of the criminalization policy against the Kurdish people and those who support the Kurdish freedom struggle, saying, “The German state has once again shown that everyone is not equal before the law.”

The initiative pointed out that German security units have blocked the website and social media accounts which had been set up for the purpose of informing the German public about the PKK ban. “This ban will not intimidate us, and we will continue our activities. We invite the public to participate in the demonstration march that will take place in Berlin.”

Dozens of institutions and non-governmental organizations will hold a mass demonstration in Berlin on November 27 to mark the anniversary of the PKK ban. There will also be several other events throughout Germany to demand the removal of the ban.