Hundreds of thousands gathered in the Newroz square in Diyarbakır (Amed) on Tuesday to celebrate the Kurdish New Year amidst grief and anger over the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria last month. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Mithat Sancar addressed the crowd, condemning the Turkish government as destructive.
“We must name this government clearly for what it is: a government of destruction, bloodshed, plunder, and disaster,” Sancar said. “It is time to rid ourselves of this government. And we will definitely rid ourselves of this government of disaster.”
The co-chair called for an end to the absolute isolation conditions of jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan in a prison on the northwestern Turkish island of İmralı, and criticised the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) policies.
“Isolation is a symbol of the deepening of war policies,” he said. “That is why we must lift the isolation in İmralı for a democratic solution and peace. We must all come together and put forward our will for peace and democratic solutions.”
Sancar called for unity among various alliances, including the Labour and Freedom Alliance, alliances among Kurdish parties, and alliances with the “oppressed and exploited” from all over the country, as well as the struggle led by women and youth.
“With the strong alliances, resistance, and determination of the people gathered in Newroz squares, we will build a new life,” Sancar said. “We have no doubt that we will succeed in this endeavour. Together, we will remove this government and transform the current order.”
