The European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) Co-Chairs Yüksel Koç and Fatoş Göksungur and Kurdish Women's Movement in Europe (TJK-E) Spokeswoman Ayten Kaplan spoke to ANF, emphasising the importance of the May 14 elections in Turkey, for which overseas voting has begun today.

Remarking that the Kurds were subjected to assimilation, denial and massacres in the first century of the republic, KCDK-E Co-chair Yüksel Koç said: “Will the country remain the same in the second century or will it evolve into a democratic republic? This election is all about that."

EVERY VOTE IS A BLOW TO AKP-MHP FASCISM

KCDK-E Co-Chair Fatoş Göksungur pointed out that these elections were an opportunity to overthrow the 21-year AKP-MHP fascist rule. She continued: “All people from Turkey, Kurds, Armenians, Syriacs, Azeris, Circassians, Arabs, Alevis and all other ethnic and religious groups living in Europe…This election, which we describe as the election of the century, is not a normal election. We will either choose freedom or we will submit to the dictatorship of the 21-year-old AKP-MHP fascism. All peoples living in Europe will vote between April 27 and May 9. We need to convince those who think that their vote will not change anything and take them to the polls. Remember, every vote we cast in this election will help to overthrow the dictatorship. Every vote we cast in this election will pave the way for an equal and free Turkey. Every vote will lay the groundwork for a democratic solution to the Kurdish question. Every vote will lead to women's freedom. Every vote will remove the anxiety experienced by our people while visiting Turkey. We will vote for the Green Left Party. Our votes in Europe will be a great morale and motivation for our peoples in Turkey and Kurdistan. Every vote will be a blow to the oppressive regime, the dictatorship and the AKP-MHP fascism. Remember; vote for the Green Left Party.”

ELECTIONS WILL SHAPE THE NEXT CENTURY

KCDK-E Co-Chair Yüksel Koç stressed that the election outcomes would be strategic to change the fate of the country and the Middle East. He said: “This is not an ordinary election. It is not about a government change like the elections before. This election is a strategic one that will shape the next century. Will the country remain just like the first century of the republic in the twentieth century that saw denial, assimilation and Kurdish massacres, or will it evolve into a democratic republic? This election is all about that. This holds true for us, for the AKP-MHP fascist government and for other political parties. This election will shape our country's future. It will also determine the future of the Middle East. In this sense, it is a mistake to see this election as ordinary. Every vote is very valuable in this election, it is very sacred. Our basic strategy is to overthrow this government and its dictator, the mastermind of the massacres in Kurdistan. The second goal is to secure that the Green Left Party is represented in the parliament in the strongest way. Therefore, the votes in Europe are very decisive. There are 3.5 million voters in Europe. It is crucial to convince voters to go to the polls. Regardless of their political leaning, our election commissions must reach them. Voting abroad begins on April 27 and ends on May 9. We should persuade new voters to vote for the Green Left Party. We say this to all Green Left Party voters: Everyone should consider himself responsible for democratic freedom, equality, and freedom of identities and faiths. Each voter must convince at least 10 voters. Each of us should call at least 10 of our relatives and friends in Turkey and urge them to vote for the Green Left Party. We should consider it as our duty.”

ALL OUR PEOPLE SHOULD GO TO THE POLLS

TJK-E Spokeswoman Ayten Kaplan also called on the voters in Europe to go to the polls, saying: “We call upon our people in Europe to go to the polls. If we want change, democracy, human rights and freedom of thought, we should vote for the Green Left Party. Each vote can make a difference. If we want to destroy oppression, fear and darkness, let's vote for the Green Left Party and replace it. Our people, both in Europe and in the country, must go to the polls.”