Andy Carl

Pls follow me on Bluesky: @andydcarl.bsky.social Independent consultant and adviser. Helping people and teams get better at transforming complex conflicts.

[Front Line Defenders @FrontLineHRD]

📍 #USA

We call on US authorities to reverse the decision to impose sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Special Rapporteurs must be able to work on their mandates freely, without sanctions and reprisals.

Read more: https://t.co/bYHROXHm2z

[Agnes Callamard @AgnesCallamard]

Dismayed by the official sanctions that the US government has decided to impose on the UN Special Rapporteur, @FranceskAlbs

We recall that Special Rapporteurs are independent experts. They are not appointed to please governments or to be popular but to deliver their mandate. Francesca Albanese is working tirelessly to document and report on Israel’s unlawful occupation, apartheid and genocide, on the basis of international law.

Governments around the world and all actors who believe in the rule-based order and international law must do everything in their power to mitigate and block the effect of the sanctions against Francesca Albanese and more generally to protect the work and independence of Special Rapporteurs.

[Parwiz Hamidi _🇵🇸 @Palestine001_]

The real Nobel prize candidate

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

No country for old men ending a war?An interesting article that reminds me that it’s for every generation to figure out how to prepare for and be part of making their peace. https://t.co/Acrf5RlHvo

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Lots of things made Norbert the leader he was in our field. In the South Caucasus, Sri Lanka & Southern Thailand he worked with his own combination of humanity and curiosity along with a deep capabilities to find new ways to conceptually frame ways of working. His work carries on

[Berghof Foundation @BerghofFnd]

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former colleague Dr Norbert Ropers. A pioneer in dialogue and #ConflictTransformation, Norbert shaped Berghof’s work and inspired peacebuilders worldwide.

May his work continue to guide us.

Read his legacy: https://t.co/TIdd7gjOyH

[Hans J. Giessmann @hjgiessmann]

Norbert Ropers, my inspiring mentor and a great peace support practitioner has passed away this morning. It’s a sad day and a big loss for the community of peacebuilders. R. i. P. Norbert, your amazing contribution to peace and reconciliation will never be forgotten. @BerghofFnd

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Happy to do this interview reflecting on the importance of the PKK's decision to seek peace and democracy through exclusively peaceful means. Such a historic move deserves to be welcomed and the resolution process ahead more widely supported:
https://t.co/quGFkv4iRc

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

This is what tackling impunity looks like. @ImpunityWatch

[Al Jazeera English @AJEnglish]

Guatemala jails ex-paramilitaries for 40 years over rapes during civil war https://t.co/KccrcdEGCM

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Congratulations to all those who worked for this day and to those who made this bold decision that I hope will prove to be a peaceful path to a democratic future. https://t.co/tcXAJiE1FL

[Mariana Mazzucato @MazzucatoM]

Trump's "external revenue service" rhetoric masks reality: these tariffs will hit American consumers through higher prices, while disproportionately harming low and middle-income countries. It's a regressive economic program that hurts the vulnerable both at home and abroad. This isn't about fairness; but about power.

Full discussion on @itvpeston ➡️ https://t.co/ujgUM7MYII

[Tom Knowles @tkbeynon]

Possibly the most British quote ever from one of the Quaker elders about police charging their meeting house to arrest activists
https://t.co/4S0epAvRIw

[Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) @AOAV]

When peaceful protest against violence becomes a threat: why such non-violence must never be criminalised https://t.co/4UudiVEowH

[Peace Talks @PeaceNewstream]

Mahmoud Khalil, a student mediator between Columbia vice provosts and the protesters, was today arrested by immigration agents at Columbia University: https://t.co/UkRwpFGs49

[Richard Reeve @RJ_Reeve]

Sharing some thoughts on how the events of the last month have upended all of the big, expensive assumptions on which the Integrated Reviews rested. And how the current SDR & national security review must think beyond the unthinkable.

https://t.co/7Lpwxp5aNw

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

This is leadership.

[Anthony Borden @tonyborden]

An honour to collaborate with Ukraine Nobel Peace Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk @avalaina in today's @FT, underlining the need for a real peace built on justice, freedom, security and a European future. See: https://t.co/nH9wVj64LV #StandWithUkraine #Zelensky #SupportUkraine

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

A brilliant and timely article on the challenges of negotiating a settlement in Ukraine and the importance of remembering the past so as to not be condemned to repeat it: https://t.co/Cs7GB3W6lm

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Abdullah Öcalan's call to the PKK & the Erdoğan government from his prison is remarkable & historic for Kurds, Türkiye and the world

"There is no path outside of democracy for system-building and implementation—nor can there be. Democratic consensus is the fundamental method"

[Rojava Network @RojavaNetwork]

Full statement by Leader Abdullah Öcalan:

Call for Peace and a Democratic Society

The PKK was born in the 20th century, the most violent century in history, shaped by two world wars, the realities of real socialism, the global Cold War atmosphere, and the denial of Kurdish identity—particularly the suppression of freedoms through prohibitions.

In terms of theory, program, strategy, and tactics, it was heavily influenced by the realities of the real-socialist system of the century. However, with the collapse of real socialism in the 1990s due to internal reasons and the erosion of identity denial in the country—along with advancements in freedom of expression—the PKK found itself in a state of meaninglessness and excessive repetition. As a result, like similar movements, it has reached the end of its course, making its dissolution necessary.

Kurdish-Turkish Relations

For over a thousand years, Turks and Kurds have considered it essential to remain in alliance, primarily out of a strong sense of voluntary unity, to sustain their existence and resist hegemonic forces.

However, capitalist modernity, especially over the last 200 years, has aimed to dismantle this alliance. Influenced by class dynamics, certain groups have served this goal. This process accelerated with the rigid interpretations of the republic. Today, it is an essential duty to reorganize this fragile historical relationship in the spirit of brotherhood, without disregarding beliefs.

The Necessity of a Democratic Society

The PKK, the longest and most extensive rebellion and violence movement in the history of the republic, gained strength and support primarily due to the closure of democratic political channels.

The inevitable result of extreme nationalist deviations—such as the pursuit of a separate nation-state, federalism, administrative autonomy, and culturalist solutions—fails to address the sociological reality of historical society.

Respect for identities, the ability to express oneself freely, and democratic organization—as well as socio-economic and political structuring based on these principles—can only be achieved through the existence of a democratic society and a democratic political space.

The second century of the republic can only achieve lasting and fraternal continuity if it is crowned with democracy. There is no path outside of democracy for system-building and implementation—nor can there be. Democratic consensus is the fundamental method.

The language of the era of peace and a democratic society must also be developed in accordance with reality.

In this climate—shaped by the call of Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the determination demonstrated by Mr. President, and the positive responses of other political parties—I make a call for disarmament and take on the historical responsibility of this call.

Like any modern society or political movement that has not been forcibly dissolved, you must convene your congress and make a decision to integrate with the state and society voluntarily. All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.

I extend my greetings to all who believe in coexistence and heed my call.

-Abdullah Öcalan

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Richard’s points are still as valid as ever: challenges for our security are not answered by GDP percentage points and Aid cuts. Britain’s MoD is overstretched and overspent. We need strategies that work for the UK as it is & not for the global superpower some still wish it to be

[Rethinking Security @RethinkingSecu1]

What is the UK military budget actually spent on?

Is this a crisis of capability or expectation?

Can we step beyond UK 'exceptionalism' toward a reasoned discussion on what national 'defence' would really look like & cost?

@RJ_Reeve unpicks the crisis.

https://t.co/EQBQkuiRpm

[Khem Rogaly @KhemRogaly]

Ultimately, this benefits private military contractors (likely in the US as well as UK): BAE Systems has just reported record orders. These massive government contracts flow through military firms to their shareholders.

https://t.co/zRw14e7Xeb

[Andy Carl @AndyDCarl]

Shame on the Starmer gov for their cruel & isolationist decision to cut our aid. These cuts do not build peace. Well done to those speaking out for how and why intl dev cooperation matters. Let’s hold Gov to account and hear more from people whose lives and work are most affected