BEHDINAN – Answering ANF’s questions on the eve of the 14 May elections, PKK Executive Committee Member Murat Karayılan called on everyone to gather around the Green Left Party at the ballot box. Noting that the Kurdish people should show their will to everyone in this election, Karayılan called on all circles outside the alliance to support the Green Left Party and said, “If they offer such support, this will be a fundamental step towards the development of the Kurdistan unity that can be established in the future and in which everyone will participate. This would be a good step,” he said.
Karayılan also gave messages about the debates around Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan: “We want to warn the parties once again: Do not argue about our Leader in this way. These approaches that make our leadership a tool are immoral. Leader Apo’s position is a strategic one. The Kurdish question and Leader Apo’s situation is not a problem to be used as a tool for electoral tactics, but a fundamental one for Turkey. Therefore, it is a great mistake to try to use our Leadership as an instrument in the elections.”
Karayılan gave the following answers to our questions:
We are in a new May. May is defined by your movement as ‘Martyrs’ Month’. First of all, what would you like to point out on the occasion of this month?
Before moving on to your question, I would like to commemorate our most recent martyrs. I commemorate our comrades who were martyred in the province of Mardin in the person of Comrade Canşêr Maku and those who were martyred in Serhat in the person of Hêjar Zozan. As comrades who worked selflessly under the most difficult conditions, they did not bow to the enemy, they resisted and in this way they achieved martyrdom. We salute their resistance and once again repeat our promise that we will keep their memories alive.
We also have martyrs who have experienced it before but have been declared in this last period. I also respectfully commemorate Dilxwaz Gabar, Gulçiya Gabar and Pelşin Newroz friends. These comrades were friends with whom we worked for years.
Friend Dilxwaz has worked and labored for 32 years on the mountain with great self-sacrifice, honesty, cleanness and great devotion. He was a comrade who, under all circumstances, confirmed his loyalty to Leader Apo, the organization and the line of martyrs. I bow respectfully before the effort and struggle of our friend Dilxwaz and state that we will keep our promise to this valuable comrade.
Gulchiya friend was not an ordinary Kurdish woman. With his courage, stance, strength, will and war, he has a lot of effort everywhere, from Şaho to the mountains of Bingöl, to Amed and Garzan. She was an exemplary friend who gained a certain level of militancy, comradeship and devotion to Leader Apo. She was a member of our headquarters, she.
We commemorate all these comrades with respect and promise that we will always be loyal to their comradeship.
CIHAN AYMAZ IS ALSO A MARTYR OF THE CASE FOR FREEDOM AND KURDISH CULTURE
At the same time, I respectfully commemorate the artist Cihan Aymaz, who lost his life as a result of an attack that took place in Istanbul recently, and offer my condolences to his family. Cihan Aymaz is a martyr of the cause of freedom and Kurdish culture. He was targeted and martyred for shouting Kurdish culture in the streets of Istanbul. The memory of Martyr Cihan Aymaz will always live on in the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle.
If I go back to your question; As you mentioned, May is Martyrs’ Month. It is true, our struggle has martyrs in every period, but in May, there were important martyrdoms for both the Kurdistan revolution and the Turkish revolution. If we take it on the basis of days, first of all, there are the Taksim martyrs on May 1, 1977. Again, on May 1, 1981, Comrade Abdulkadir Çubukçu was martyred in the Palestinian resistance. On May 2, 1982, comrades Mehmet Karasungur and İbrahim Bilgin were martyred. Again in 2016, on the same day, friends Azad Siser and Çekdar Amed were martyred. Again in 1998, there was the testimony of Hamza Emerînê and his comrades in Cudî. May 6 is the day when the pioneers of the Turkish revolution, Deniz Gezmiş, Yusuf Aslan and Hüseyin İnan, marched on the death row to martyrdom. The martyrdom of these worthy revolutionaries had a great impact from Turkey to Kurdistan. Again, in Eastern Kurdistan, there are martyrs on the death bench. Şirin Elemhuli, Ferzad Kemanger, Ali Haydariyan, Deputy Ferhad were martyred on 9 May. May 11 is the martyrdom day of comrade Hozan Mizgîn, the valuable commander of Garzan. On May 13, Leyla Kasım and four Kurdish youths with her were executed and martyred in Baghdad. Again, 16 May is the day of the Hewler resistance led by comrades Salih and Hêlîn. That day, many of our comrades resisted the KDP attacks and became martyrs. Again, 16 May is the day of the Hewler resistance led by comrades Salih and Hêlîn. That day, many of our comrades resisted the KDP attacks and became martyrs. Again, 16 May is the day of the Hewler resistance led by comrades Salih and Hêlîn. That day, many of our comrades resisted the KDP attacks and became martyrs.
Anyway, 18 May is the day of martyrdom of our great martyr, internationalist revolutionary Comrade Haki Karer. Haki friend is also the first martyr of the Partying phase. On the same day of 1973, İbrahim Kaypakkaya, one of the pioneers of the Turkish revolution, was martyred. Again, one year before the martyrdom of Comrade Haki, there was also the martyrdom of Comrade Fevzi Aslansoy on the same day. At the same time, on May 18, 1982, in the Amed Dungeon, comrades Ferhat Kurtay, Mahmut Zengin, Eşref Samek and Necmi Öner burned their bodies to martyrdom in the face of that brutal torture. On May 19, 1978, Comrade Halil Çavgun was martyred. One year later, Comrade Müslüm Baran was martyred. On May 21, the martyrdom of Comrade Celal Hodja (Ramadan Kaplan) took place. On the same day, Comrade İsmail (Hıdır Bingöl) was martyred with 19 friends. May 25, 2012 is the day of martyrdom of Comrades Êrîş and Andok, who made a sacrifice action in Kayseri. These valuable comrades started a new era with their actions. Again in 1987, there is the martyrdom of Comrade Sarı Ömer (Mustafa Ömürcan) with a group of friends. Again on May 27, Comrade Kasım Engin (Ismail Nazlıkul) was martyred. Our Central Committee member Comrade Sabri (Emin Aslan) was also martyred in the last days of May. Again, comrade Cemşit (Ahmet Kesip) and his group were martyred in the last week of May. Likewise, the martyrdom of comrades Sipan Amed and Rojbin Serhat is in the last days of May. Again, on May 31, 1972, Sinan Cemgil, one of the pioneers of the Turkish revolution, fought for the first time in the mountains in the Nurhaks with a group of his friends and became martyrs. These valuable comrades started a new era with their actions. Again in 1987, there is the martyrdom of Comrade Sarı Ömer (Mustafa Ömürcan) with a group of friends. Again on May 27, Comrade Kasım Engin (Ismail Nazlıkul) was martyred. Our Central Committee member Comrade Sabri (Emin Aslan) was also martyred in the last days of May.
In short, many important martyrdoms were experienced in this way in May. For this reason, it was accepted as the Martyrs’ Month. Especially when Comrade Haki Karer was martyred, our movement had not yet become a party. A group of young people was engaged in ideological work and was trying to move on to a political stage. Friend Haki was martyred in a planned counter-guerrilla attack at that time.
NOW BLOOD IS SPILLED; CANNOT BE RETURNED
The ties of comradeship between our Leader and your friend Haki Karer are known. The statement made by our Leader after Comrade Haki that ‘blood has been shed, it is irreversible’, writing the PKK’s program in memory of Comrade Haki, the decision to join a party, and the lifestyle of the movement members based on the memory of the martyrs represent a beginning. It has become a way of life at our party. Each witness created with itself the basis for a new move; developed a new breakthrough. Our enemies developed their attacks against us on the basis of preventing these moves, and they still continue these attacks.
However, the synergy created by Leader Apo’s method of responding to every martyrdom created a strengthening with himself. It so happened that martyrdom in Kurdistan became the main source of strengthening, not weakening. We became stronger in every place where we were martyred, we affected the people of that place. Because each of our martyrs was making an impact around him with his life, morality and personality in his own region. Because the weak person did not come to this party anyway. Everyone involved in the movement has a responsibility to history and society; His moral and humanitarian approach is deep. He decided in this way and joined the movement. The spirit of comradeship that develops in each friend, within the framework of ties to the people, creates loyalty, depth and strength on the basis of every witness experience. So much so that those who have led us to this day are mainly our martyrs. Giving us strength, keeping us always alive and agile, It is the power and might of the martyrs that enables us to develop a struggle with great grudge against the enemy. For this reason, we believe that the main source of our strength is our martyrs; We state that our martyrs are our yesterday, today and tomorrow. For this reason, Leader Apo said ‘our party is a party of martyrs’. Because our martyrs revealed this understanding with their lives; they have cleared the line; they created the Kurdistan revolutionary struggle with their blood. As the comrades of the martyrs, we are faithful to the promise we made to them and we will remain so until the end. We will protect the memories of our martyrs and keep them alive. On this basis, we say that our martyrs are immortal. Because we must fill the place of every fallen martyr, raise the flag he left us even higher, and not leave his ashes on the ground. In this way, we can honor their spirit and keep them alive.
I can state these about the Martyrs’ Month.
Recently, there have been many news and evaluations on Leader Apo. In particular, various alliances have placed the meeting with Leader Apo at the base of the propaganda against each other. However, on the other hand, there has been a strict isolation against Leader Apo for more than 2 years. How do you evaluate these news about Leader Apo and the current situation?
As we have mentioned before, there are one-sided discussions about Leader Apo in Turkish politics. Leader Apo is in absolute isolation, aggravated by an unprecedented method in the world. He is held in a system where psychological torture is carried out on a permanent basis. For 26 months, no one has heard of Leader Apo or the three friends of Leader Apo. In an age where telecommunication has developed so much, no one knows about Imrali. The detention of Leader Apo in such extraordinary conditions is a violation of all national and international laws and moral standards.
AKP-MHP APPROACHES WITH PKK LIKE ENTERING ELECTIONS
However, although Leader Apo is kept under these conditions, there is also a discussion about it. However, no one said, ‘Let’s ask for his views too; let him speak; Let’s see who is he supporting?’ he doesn’t say. Someone says, ‘you went to him and asked for support’; the other says, ‘no, you allied with his comrades and promised them.’ That’s what the debates are. In any case, the AKP-MHP side is approaching as if they are entering the elections with the PKK. This is a problem in itself.
What does this also show? This also shows that Leader Apo is a key factor that has power in Turkish politics. If it wasn’t, they wouldn’t be arguing so much about it. The government is held in an unprecedented system as it knows that Leader Apo is the Kurdish People’s Leader and nevertheless has a strong influence on Kurdish society and even Turkish revolutionary movements. The opposition is like, ‘Why is this happening? Is there a law? Why this isolation?’ he doesn’t say. In other words, they also see isolation as legitimate.
THE APPROACHES THAT TURN OUR LEADERSHIP INTO A TOOL ARE ILLEGAL
We would like to warn the parties once again: Do not argue about our Leadership in this way. These approaches that make our leadership a tool are immoral. Leader Apo’s position is a strategic one. The Kurdish question and Leader Apo’s situation is not a problem to be used as a tool for electoral tactics, but a fundamental one for Turkey. Therefore, it is a great mistake to try to use our Leadership as a tool in the elections.
On the other hand, all this controversy also raises doubts that some groups may target Leader Apo. In this context, Leader Apo’s security is now in danger. As it is known, Leader Apo is not only a prisoner in the hands of the Turkish state; As it is known, the forces that arrested our Leadership and handed him over to Turkey are conspiratorial forces. All of these forces have a responsibility in this. Therefore, I would like to call on all the forces with responsibility: They must take responsibility for their responsibilities in this critical period. They must fulfill their responsibilities regarding the security of Leader Apo. Both international powers and the Turkish state, which is officially responsible, should take responsibility for this issue.
Everyone should know that Leader Apo is the foundation of Turkish unity. If there is a loss in this regard, there will be no Turkish unity. Not for decades, for hundreds of years, a new enmity begins between peoples. For this reason, everyone should claim their responsibility, should not subject our Leader to election tactics in this way, and everybody should approach this issue with restraint. We warn everyone about this once again. However, mainly our people and their friends should be vigilant and sensitive in this regard. With the awareness that all these discussions pose a danger to the security of Leader Apo as well as himself, everyone should stand up for their duties.
EVERYONE SHOULD GATHER AROUND THE GREEN LEFT PARTY
Both the government and all opposition parties regard this election as a choice of fate. What do you think about the 14 May elections, just a short while before the elections?
It is true; Everyone expresses that these elections are important for the future of Turkey and for everyone living in Turkey. Of course, the elections that took place in this period have a significance. We have mentioned some things about this before. However, these elections are even more important for our people and for all those who suffer from this system. This election is very important for all segments excluded from the system, especially the Kurdish people, Alevis, working classes and left-socialist movements. Especially for the last 8 years, the AKP-MHP-Ergenekon regime has been trying to weaken our people and take them over with a new concept. For this, he carried out a very harsh wave of attacks against dungeons, mountains, streets and Kurdish politics. In this way, they wanted to take over the Kurdish society. Just as they carried out a policy of genocide from 1925 to ’38, and for thirty years after that, the Kurds remained silent; just as the September 12 Fascist Military Junta carried out a great persecution in Kurdistan and the Kurdish society was left debilitated for ten years; mainly AKP-MHP now wanted to do the same to the Kurds. Just as they were directed by saying that we will liquidate the Fethullahists, they also turned to the Kurdistan Freedom Movement in a comprehensive way. In other words, the regime wanted to weaken and weaken the Kurdish people with all its might. They oriented towards the Kurdistan Freedom Movement more comprehensively than him. In other words, the regime wanted to weaken and weaken the Kurdish people with all its might. They oriented towards the Kurdistan Freedom Movement more comprehensively than him. In other words, the regime wanted to weaken and weaken the Kurdish people with all its might.
But resistance developed in all dungeons, mountains, streets and everywhere, especially in Imrali. Our people resisted and proved once again that they are a fundamental force that cannot be liquidated like that. In other words, he showed that he cannot be surrendered with tanks, cannons, beatings, arrests, torture and isolation. In short, our people did not surrender.
Now, the elections are held after this process. For this, our people must now show their will in the political arena, after the historical resistance against the disasters in the past. For example, various alliances developed between Kurdistani forces, again between Kurdistan patriots and left-socialist forces. These forces are going to the elections under the umbrella of the Green Left Party. Everyone who has been harmed by this system should strongly join this alliance. Especially the Kurdish people should increase their power in this election and show their will to everyone. This is an important issue. Maybe in society, between tribes, between individuals, etc. There may be discrepancies between the various segments. Again, some candidates may not be to the heart of some people. But all this must be put aside. There are more important problems. There are national problems that concern the future of the Kurdish people. Therefore, everyone should unite and show their unity during this period.
Even Kurdistani forces formed the Freedom and Democracy Alliance. Only some circles were left out of this alliance. I call on the circles that are excluded from here: As seen before, if they nominate separately, they cannot get results. Instead of doing this, they can support the alliance united under the Green Left Party. If they offer such support, it will be a fundamental step towards the development of the Kurdistani unity that can be established in the future and in which everyone will participate. That would be a good step. So this is my call to these powers. In short, everyone should gather around the Green Left Party and show their will on this issue. The importance of these elections for our people is on this basis. Undoubtedly, this is also important for Türkiye, where change is absolutely necessary.
