T&GWU resolution against Turkish repression of Kurds

Bobby Morton, Sacked Liverpool Docker
Region 6 delegate to T&GWU
Biennial Delegate Conference
Speaking in support of Composite 49

Conference:

It is with great humility that I rise to speak on this debate. On Monday we spent several hours discussing the Liverpool Docks dispute and the hardship it has heaped upon our families, and we were right to do so.

But today we spend several minutes discussing an act of genocide by the Turkish government on a par with any atrocity ever witnessed in the world. On Tuesday, the day after the docks debate I had the unfortunate experience of viewing a photograph of a Turkish soldier playing football with a human head that he had just severed from a man's body.

The man had committed a crime in the eyes of the Turkish government. He had been born in Kurdistan.

In a country just four hours away by plane from these islands, not that thankfully you can get a flight there today, to be in a trade union brands you as being a terrorist. A country where as I speak acts of torture, barbarism and killings are routinely being carried out.

And carried out with the support of the British Government who sanction and supply billions of pounds worth of arms to this horrendous regime. When Saddam Hussein makes a move against the 35 million Kurdish people Western governments rattle the sabre and warn of the consequences. When the Turkish troops make the same insurgence the West sits back and counts the profits from the arms sales.

Colleagues, let's send a message from this conference to the British government. You made enough noise about the abuse of human rights in Turkey when in opposition. It's now time for actions to speak louder than words.

Support Composite 49!

Composite 49

Turkey (Motions 344 to 347 and amendment to 345)

This Conference pledges full support for Amnesty International's campaigning work for an end to human rights abuse in Turkey. It calls on this Union to add its resources to this work, and for pressure to be maintained and increased by the European Union to bring an end to torture and repression in Turkey.

This Conference calls upon all Trade Unionists to support the workers in struggle who are demanding human rights, Trade Union rights and democratic rights in Turkey.

This Conference calls for:

• an end to the practice of imprisoning and torturing workers for membership of political or Trade Union organisations;
  
• an end to the attempts to terrorise and ban all genuine opposition whether in the form of political parties, workers organisations or Trade Unions;
  
• an end to terrorising workers exercising their legal right to strike;
  
• an end to the barbaric police and army attacks on peaceful demonstrators, including children and women;
  
• an end to the war against the Kurdish people and violent repression of other ethnic minorities;
  
• solidarity and active support to the workers and Trade Unionists in Turkey;
  
• the T&GWU to consult Turkish trade union centres about a boycott;
  
• The GEC to publicise the repression of trade unionists that is taking place against the Turkish people through its publications and throughout the trade union movement.
  

Adopted by unanimous vote, Weds. 9 July

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