ANF interviewed Şivan Perwer about the 21-year reign of the AKP and the May 14 elections in Turkey.

Addressing the Kurdish people, Perwer said: “I wish you success and victory in the elections. You have a party at your service. It paid huge prices. Its current name is the Green Left Party. Support it and do not leave it alone. Go to the polls on May 14 and cast your votes.”

How would you evaluate the last 21 years of the government in Turkey?

Turkey was founded on the basis of rejection and denial. The Republic created itself by destroying the diversity in this country. Armenians, Assyrian-Syriacs, Greeks and Kurds were all oppressed. These policies have continued for 100 years. For the last 21 years, this government has been maintaining it. Just as the struggle of Şêx Seîd, Agirî, Dersim and Kurdish intellectuals faced massacres and oppression in the earlier phase of the Turkish Republic, similar things are happening today. Although the AKP came to power in 2002 with a reformist mind, the policies it pursued in the following years unfortunately were not any different from those of the past.

Presidential and general elections will be held on 14 May. How are the policies you have mentioned pursued currently?

Election is a democratic method of struggle and will. The Green Left Party contesting the elections does not only appeal to the Kurds, but also to all circles. It advocates fraternity and peace. Mr. Öcalan has also been issuing calls for peace for years. He has never been in favour of war and violence. He has always called for dialogue to solve the Kurdish problem in a peaceful way. He demanded the rights and freedom of the Kurds. These demands have not been met. For that reason, the Kurds felt compelled to defend themselves. This is how the 50-year-long war emerged. The Kurds were forced to defend themselves against death, oppression and massacres. Of course, war is not a good thing. As an artist, I am against war, but sometimes people have to fight oppression. Thus, people are dying, but this state does not think about them. It keeps attacking with fighter jets, heavy weapons, tanks and artillery on a daily basis. It's killing people. We must oppose it. Currently, we must fight it through elections. They constantly shut down our parties and arrest our politicians. Despite this, there has been resistance in which huge prices have been paid. For example, Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş talks about peace, fraternity and unity from prison. Is Demirtaş talking about war and death? No, but he is still in prison. Moreover, many artists, writers and politicians live in exile. The state, which promotes the rights of the Palestinians, oppresses, kills and ignores the Kurds. It has even deprived them of the right to elect. Turkey is shutting down their parties and arresting their politicians. This cruelty and injustice do not exist in any religion. That's why the Kurds should never accept these practices.

So, what should they do?

There will be elections across Turkey. The Kurds, too, are taking part in the elections with a party they founded peacefully and democratically. Still, the government and the one-man rule do not allow it. The government says that "I am Turkish, I have the power, I am the sultan, and everything should be like me". It promotes one-man rule and statist ideology. Democracy and freedoms are undermined. There is tyranny and cruelty everywhere. Therefore, the Kurds should unite, and everything should change after May 14, no matter what. Let's establish a system and live together, as in the example of Switzerland and Belgium. This is not very difficult. Currently, there are millions of Kurdish residents in Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. These people are not likely to return to their homeland. They have built a life; they have investments in those big cities. If the right policies are not introduced, you will be in trouble with the Kurds. The Kurds are no longer the old Kurds. Kurdish youth are now more political and conscious.

What is your appeal to the Kurdish people and democratic forces for the 14 May elections?

The Kurds need to protect and defend their achievements, lands and values. They should love their language and culture. They need to shape a future for their children. Everyone should come together for the elections. They should no longer vote for another party. Other parties persecute and smash them. Their own parties advocate friendship, peace and fraternity. The discourse and program of the Green Left Party defend these values. The Green Left Party does not hold a grudge against anyone or any party.

On the other hand, attacks are carried out against Afrin, Serêkaniyê, Kobanê and Rojava on a daily basis. The current government has done all this. That's why everyone should vote against it. This persecution and oppression will come to an end if there is a change following the elections. Maybe the situation in Syria will also change for the better. I am calling out to the Kurdish people: I wish you success and victory in the May 14 elections. You have a party at your service. It paid huge prices. Its current name is the Green Left Party. All Kurdish parties should support and be in solidarity with it. Go to the polls on May 14 and cast your votes so that our leader, politicians and artists attain their freedom.