NSW Parliament stands in solidarity with Kurds fighting for equality and democracy

Today in Parliament, Abigail passed a motion recognising a recent NSW Parliament roundtable on the persecution of Kurds in Turkey, held in solidarity with Kurdish MPs and advocates, and reaffirming support for their fight for equality and democracy.

Abigail said:

I move:

That this House recognises that:

on 12 February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held in NSW Parliament to discuss the threat of persecution faced by Kurds and other minority groups in Turkey under President Erdoğan and to encourage Australians and members of the international community to stand in solidarity with Kurds and their fight for equality and peace in Turkey and across the Middle East;
the event featured Kurdish MPs of the Turkish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) party and members of the Australian Kurdish Federation including:
- Ms Ebru Günay, former MP for the city of Mardin and Deputy Co-chair of the DEM party;
- Mr Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki, DEM Party MP for the city of Batman;
- Carolin Axtarn, Co-Chair of the Australian Kurdish Federation;
- Brusk Aeiveri, Co-Chair of the Australian Kurdish Federation;
- Baran Sogut, Youth Spokesperson and Diplomacy Representative for the Australian Kurdish Federation; and
- Ismet Tastan, former Co-Chair and current member of the Australian Kurdish Federation and Councillor for the Inner West; and
Members of the NSW Parliament including:
- Abigail Boyd, MLC;
- Dr Amanda Cohn, MLC;
- the Hon. Anthony D’Adam, MLC;
- Charishma Kaliyanda, MP, member for Liverpool;
- Jenny Leong, MP, member for Newtown;
- Kobi Shetty, MP, member for Balmain; and
- Nathan Hagarty, MP, member for Leppington.

2. That this House notes that:

members of Parliament Ebra Günay and Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki are members of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) party, the third largest party in Turkey, advocating for equal rights for all ethnic, religious, and cultural identities;
the DEM party hopes to peacefully resolve the Kurdish question, and provide equal rights for Kurds in Turkey and the Middle East;
DEM party members, Kurds, and other Turkish minorities have faced persecution under President Erdoğan, and his erosion of Turkish democracy has resulted in fewer pathways for minority protest and representation;
thousands of Kurds have been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey under the rule of President Erdoğan; and
Kurdish representation and equality are necessary for the healthy recovery of Turkish democracy.

3. That this House stands in solidarity with Kurdish people in Australia, and Kurds in Turkey and across the Middle East, in their ongoing fight for equality.

Motion agreed to.

Read the full transcript in Hansard here.

20 February 2025

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NSW Parliament stands in solidarity with Kurds fighting for equality and democracy

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