Euro-MP says Kurdish Kongra-gel should not be banned

4.44.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Aug 2006

London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has signed a petition against the UK government's proposed banning under anti-terrorism powers of the Kurdish organisation Kongra-gel. The petition is sponsored by campaigning comedian Mark Thomas, the Kurdish Federation UK and CAMPACC.

The justification put forward is that Kongra-gel is simply a reinvention of the already- banned PKK, but Sarah Ludford said:

"Banning organisations which represent a legitimate political cause - in this case a recognition of the rights of the Kurdish people and an end to their oppression - is truly counter-productive. It may make some supporters feel they have no option but to resort to violence."

"Instead of excluding Kongra-gel from the political arena, Britain should be drawing it further away from violence and towards debate, and using its good offices with Turkey to urge an end to laws curbing free expression and an opening of negotiations towards a peaceful settlement for the Kurds within Turkey."