SYDNEY, Australia–Australian police have raided the Kurdish cultural communities in Australia on allegations that the cultural communities are connected to the Kurdistan Worker Party (PKK). Although all allegations were rejected by the Kurdish individuals who run the communities, Australian police still insists on its unlawful policies toward Kurdish communities in Australia.
In Australians capital Sydney and Perth where the police unlawful raid was carried out simultaneously yesterday, the union of the Kurdish associations also called the Kurds to review their votes for the federal elections on Saturday.
In the press release read out in Victoria Kurdistan Association by the chair Ismail Güneser it is said that the police raids on the Kurds were unexpected and the police had heavy weapons and dogs during the search.
The statement continued: Majority of the Australian Kurds are those who fled their homes because of the war in Kurdistan. However, most of the Kurds in Australia are supporting the PKKs legitimate struggle for the Kurdish rights. While our association is supporting the PKK we have no links with the organization.
Victoria Kurdistan Association also called on the Australian government to review its terror list which includes the PKK.
Güneser also reminded that Kurdistan Association in Australia has been working for 25 years and neither the association itself nor any members have had any problems with the police. He also said that the raids are not legal but political and they target the unity of the Kurds in this country. It is big mistake and a shame on the Australian government to consider Kurds as a threat and treat them as terrorists: Said Güneser.