Malin Bjork, Member of the European Parliament from Sweden’s Left Party, said they believe the HDP will come out successful in the elections despite all attacks and pressure by the AKP.

Bjork spoke to the ANF about the local elections to be held in Turkey on March 31 and Turkey's threats against Rojava.

Bjork said the elections won't be held under fair and democratic conditions and added: “Under conditions where thousands of politicians are imprisoned, media is suppressed and civil society is pressured by Erdogan, one cannot speak of fair elections.”

Bjork said despite all obstacles, their sister party HDP will come out successful in Kurdistan and CHP in the western part of the country, and Erdogan will be weakened.

Bjork criticized the European Union for not objecting strongly to the violations of human rights and freedom of expression in Turkey, and continued:

“We object to the European Union being at Erdogan’s beck and call and paying him 60 billion Euros to hold watch over refugees. The European Union has thus lost all ability to have any effect on Erdogan. For us to pressure Turkey, first the refugee deal has to be overturned. If the EU does that, there will be a greater possibility of democratic reforms and the release of political prisoners.”

“ALL PARTIES SHOULD SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH KURDS”

Bjork also criticized the political parties who remain silent in the face of human rights violations and attacks against Kurds in Turkey, adding that all political parties in Europe should show solidarity with Kurds.

Bjork said political parties in Sweden, Germany and other European countries support Kurds’ continuing struggle for freedom, equality and women’s rights: “There are strong ties between the leftist parties and Kurds and other oppressed peoples. But the struggle for freedom, peace and human rights in Turkey should not be the issue of only left wing parties. All parties should support this struggle.”

“ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR HUNGER STRIKERS”

Bjork also spoke about the ongoing hunger strikes in Turkey and Europe and said: “Faced with the hunger strike launched by Leyla Guven and carried on by over 5.000 prisoners demanding an end to the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, political parties in Europe can’t just stand around and watch. When peoples’ lives are in danger, all forces on the side of human rights and peace should take action.”

Sweden’s Left Party Foreign Policy Spokesperson Håkan Svennelig and Left Party MP Amineh Kakabaveh submitted written inquiries separately to discuss the hunger strikers’ situation in the parliament and demanded that Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom take initiative.

When asked what Sweden and the EU should do, Bjork said: “I want EU foreign ministers to convene and discuss the hunger strikes. Left Party will continue to pressure Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and other EU leaders.”

“ROJAVA CAN’T BE TOUCHED”

Bjork also protested Erdogan and the Turkish state’s attempts and threats of invasion against Rojava and said: “Rojava can’t be touched. This is our line in the sand. If they do that, they will have to deal with the financial and commercial outcomes. The European Union must announce a clear stand regarding Rojava. Turkey is a NATO member as well. The coalition against ISIS should also announce a stand.”

MEP Malin Bjork said some EU member states will take action if the EU fails to show such stance: “The European Union cannot wait for all 27 member states to come to an agreement. But some countries can separately announce a stand. Sweden has done so in the past.”