Invitation

Conférence

“The role of Neutral States in Negotiations and a Peace

Resolution of the Kurdish Issue”

Yehudi Menuhin Forum, Helvetiaplatz 6, 3005 Bern

23 February 2013, 9 AM

Translation available in Turkish and German

        
Dear Sir or Madam,

         Consequent to the recent negotiations between the Turkish government and the PKK(Kurdistan Workers’ Party), new prospects for a peaceful settlement of the long conflict have emerged.
 
Neutral states and international organizations can make significant contribution to the current process and help both sides to reach a genuine peace accord. Neutral States and civil society, in particular, can play a substantial role.
         
In light of this the Swiss Parliamentary Group Relations with the Kurdish people together with the Kurdish Center of Human Rights Geneva extend an invitation to the conference

            “The role of Neutral States in Negotiations and a Peace
                                 Resolution of the Kurdish Issue”

         The aim of the conference is to bring together politicians, people from civil society, academia and the press, for discussions on the unfolding peace talks in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict. We hereby cordially invite you to the conference and will be more than happy to see you among us at that day.
 
         If you accept this invitation, please confirm your participation as soon as under kurd.parl.gruppe@gmail.com. Please indicate your full name, affiliation and address in your response to this invitation.
 
Sincerely yours,

Carlo Sommaruga

Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Relations with the Kurdish People
 
Président du Groupe Parlementaire pour les relations avec le peuple kurde.

PROGRAM

The role of Neutral States in Negotiations and a Peace Resolution of the Kurdish Issue
 
1.   Reception
09:00
- Refreshments and Ausgabe der Unterlagen

 2.   Introduction
09:30 – 10:00
- Centre Kurde Droit de l’homme
- Carlo Sommaruga, Partie Socialiste Suisse


3.   International Experience of Conflict Resolution
10:00 – 12:00
- Sinn FeiN C onor Terece Murpy
- Hans-Joachim Giessmann, Berghof Foundation, Germany

moderator: Songul Karabulut

 
LUNCH 12:00 – 13:00         
 
 
4.   The Role of Switzerland in a Resolution of the Kurdish Issue?
13:00 – 14:30
- Carlo Sommaruga, Parti Socialist Suisse

- Francine John Calame Parti Verte Suisse

- moderator: Gianfranco Fattorini  

 
5.   Strategy for a Peaceful Resolution of the Kurdish Issue
14:30 – 16:00

- Didem Akyel Collinsworth, International Crisis Group
- Zubeyr Aydar, Kurdish National Council

Moderator: Beat Jeans


6.   The Role of Abdullah Öcalan in a Peaceful Resolution
16:15 – 17:30
- Aysel Tugluk, Lawyer and MP, Turkey
- Havin Guneser, International Initiative
- Essa Mousa, Judge, South Africa

moderator:Yvonne Gilli

7.  Resolution
17:30 – 18:30

 Organizers:

Groupe parlementaire Relations avec le peuple Kurde, chairman Carlo Sommaruga

Centre Kurde des Droits de l’Homme