The Party of Free Women in Kurdistan (PAJK) Coordination Member Şimal Ülkem Güneş was interviewed by Stêrk TV about the elections in Turkey and North Kurdistan.

Güneş pointed out that May is a month in which prominent members of the freedom movement were martyred. She commemorated all the May martyrs in the persons of Haki Karer, Aysel Doğan and Hozan Mizgîn, vowing that they would continue to fight in the line of martyrs.

Speaking about the isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Güneş said: “The first demand of our people, youth, women and pro-Kurdish allies is to end the isolation of Öcalan and ensure his physical freedom. Not only the Turkish state, but also international powers are responsible for the Imrali isolation. The capitalist powers want to maintain their hegemony in the Middle East by punishing Öcalan. They are aware that Öcalan, our movement and the resistance of the Kurdish people are preventing their hegemony. That's why they attack him.”

“Attacks against women are increasing in particular. This situation emerged once again in the elections in Turkey and North Kurdistan. Two slogans came to the fore in the election rallies: 'Bijî Serok Apo' (Long live Öcalan) and 'Jin Jiyan Azadî' (Woman, Life, Freedom). These two slogans influenced the election process. The Kurdish people and democratic forces gave the message that they would fight until the end against the male alliance. Furthermore, they demanded the release of Öcalan and all political prisoners, especially the sick ones.”

TRADITION OF RESISTANCE EMERGED THANKS TO ÖCALAN AND MARTYRS

Güneş pointed to the current attacks against the Maxmur refugee camp in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) and the resistance led by women against these attacks, noting that the Yazidi town of Shengal (Sinjar) was also targeted by similar attacks. She continued: “Women's resistance against ISIS and Turkey came to the fore in Shengal as well. This tradition of resistance emerged thanks to the efforts of Öcalan and the martyrs. For this reason, women's resistance came into prominence in the election campaigns. Although the AKP-MHP fascist regime used all the state resources, it was defeated in the elections in Kurdistan. Despite Russia's digital support and stealing of Kurdish votes, this regime failed in the elections. Despite all the election fraud, the government could not break the will of the Kurdish people and women.”

EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THE POLLS

Güneş also spoke about the second round of the presidential election to be held on Sunday: “I believe that the Kurdish people will defeat the AKP-MHP regime, which formed a bloody alliance with Kurdish Hezbullah (HUDA PAR-Free Cause Party), in the May 28 election, which is, of course, very important. This election is a historic opportunity to defeat the murderer of the Kurdish people, the fascist Erdogan, and to end his 22-year-long regime. And everyone should go to the polls to use this opportunity. If we do not go to the polls, fascism, massacres, rape of women and rampant racism will become unstoppable. Therefore, it is a very important election.”

Güneş pointed out that: “The Kurdish Hezbullah entered the parliament with the help of the ruling AKP. So far, no government or party has openly supported the Hezbullah like the AKP and Erdogan. Kurdish politicians should ponder on this issue. This alliance objectifies women and has nothing to do with Islam. The AKP makes the HUDA PAR say things that it cannot say publicly. In fact, these ideas are articulated by Erdogan himself. Erdogan's backing for the HUDA PAR in the parliament means that he places ISIS and the Taliban in the parliament. In the future, he could bring ISIS into the parliament.

That's why it is very important to go to the polls. Everyone should take responsibility for the election. Going to the polls is both a responsibility and a patriotic duty. In order to get rid of this government that has been oppressing and torturing the entire opposition for 23 years, it is necessary to go to the polls. Of course, the election is not everything to us, but I especially call on the youth and women to defeat fascist Erdogan. This male-dominated alliance can only be torn down by the struggle of women.”