KONGRA-GEL Co-Chair Remzi Kartal spoke to ANF about the Turkish invasion operation conducted in the Zap, Avaşîn and Metina regions of guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) since April 14.

Kartal pointed out that the Turkish state continues its invasion and genocidal attacks against the Kurdish people with the support of NATO. He emphasized the importance of the 25 June Düsseldorf rally.

The Kurdish politician stressed that the AKP-MHP government hopes to maintain its power based on the outcome of the war it has waged in Kurdistan.

“The AKP-MHP government in general wants to eliminate the existence of the Kurdish people by pursuing a policy of genocide against them. This concept has not been completely successful. It is about to fail. For this reason, the AKP-MHP government is carrying out a large-scale attack against the Avaşîn, Zap and Metina regions. They think that if they get a result, they may prevent the fall of their government. Therefore, Turkey has been waging a war against international conventions and agreements since April 14. They have trampled on all human rights. They want to achieve results with the help of chemical and nuclear weapons which violate all laws of war. Currently, the centre of this war is Zap and Avaşîn. The Turkish army can't achieve results. We can say that the people's defence forces and freedom guerrillas have frustrated Turkey’s war concept. Since Turkey insists on this policy, it now wants to expand its occupation through new attacks on Rojava Kurdistan.”

'EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND JOIN PROTESTS'

“In response to Turkey’s aggressive policies, movements against fascism will hold a major march and rally in Düsseldorf on June 25 under the guidance of European institutions and organizations, the KCDK-E and the European Women's Movement. In this context, we invite all those against the fascism of the Turkish state, the people of Kurdistan, the Turkish people, the Arab people, the European peoples, internationalist friends, parties, associations, institutions, organizations, individuals, intellectuals and journalists. Everyone should consider themselves responsible for the chemical weapons used by Turkey and the occupation. All should attend the march and rally to be held on June 25. This is very important,” Kartal stated.

 'EUROPE'S SILENCE SHOULD BE CRITICIZED'

Kartal remarked that the Turkish state has carried out genocidal attacks against the Kurds with the support of European states since its establishment. He added that European states are silent towards the use of chemical weapons for this reason, and every individual and group that promotes human rights should take a stand against European silence. He continued, “Since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, European countries have been in solidarity with and supported the Turkish state against the existence of the Kurdish people and the peoples of Kurdistan. The Turkish state pursues this genocidal policy against the Kurdish people with the support of European states. They are silent towards the use of chemical weapons and the genocidal attacks on the Kurdish people. Therefore, it is a humanitarian and moral thing that everyone should take a stand against the silence of European states, the European Union, NATO, and should refuse genocide against the Kurdish people. We would like to state that the rally is very important. Everyone who has a conscience and moral values ​​should raise their voices against Kurdish genocide and participate in this rally.”

'TURKEY IMPLEMENTS TERROR'

KONGRA-GEL Co-Chair Remzi Kartal responded to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg’s remark that “Turkey's concerns about the PKK are legitimate.”

“NATO fully approves and supports the policy of the Turkish state that wants to exterminate the Kurds. The Turkish state calls its policy of exterminating the Kurds a 'fight against terrorism'. NATO also accepts this policy of the Turkish state. It justifies and supports it. Currently, it is the Turkish state that implements terrorism against the Kurds. The Turkish state does not accept the existence of the Kurdish people. The language, culture and all the achievements of the Kurdish people are in jeopardy because of Turkey’s genocidal policies. This is terrorism! This is terrorism carried out by the Turkish state! NATO and its allies are endorsing and supporting this policy,” he underlined.

'EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TURKEY’S GENOCIDAL POLICIES'

Kartal pointed out that the latest genocidal campaign waged by the Turkish state in Kurdistan with the support of NATO could be evaluated within the scope of crimes against humanity in the international criminal law and it should be considered genocide, according to the International Criminal Court, since it is committed against a national group.

“We appeal to the international community. We also appeal to the public opinion of European states. We appeal to those who promote human rights and democracy. The Turkish state wants to eliminate the existence of the Kurdish people. It is destroying the geography of Kurdistan, its ecology and everything else. For this reason, all women's movements in the world, ecological movements, movements that advocate human rights, intellectuals, individuals, journalists, political parties, humanitarian organizations are undergoing a test about the genocidal attacks against the Kurdish people. Everyone is responsible for the genocidal policy of the Turkish state, which is endorsed by NATO. Everyone should take a stand against them. This is a crime against humanity. They want to destroy the Kurdish people. The Turkish state wants to destroy the Kurds in Bakur, Bashur, Rojava, Rojhilat through terror. Everyone should feel responsible for this. Everyone should condemn this policy of the Turkish state, which is also supported by NATO. We should frustrate these policies and condemn NATO’s stance. NATO should also amend its policies,” Kartal concluded.