Tuesday, 28. March 2023, 15:30 - 19:30, Brussels

Film screening: “PRISON OR EXILE – DEPOSED MAYORS IN EXILE”

Panel discussion: REGIME CHANGE! The HDP tipping the scales

Since the early 80s, there has been a military conflict between the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish government, which human rights organisations estimate has killed more than 40,000 people. The “peace process” with the Kurdish guerrillas begun by the Turkish government and President Erdogan in 2005 fuelled hopes for an end to the violent clashes. However, Erdogan unilaterally declared the process ended in 2015, while also seeking to ban the left-wing pro-Kurdish HDP party. As a result, the state repression against the Kurdish freedom movement unfolded again and thousands of Kurds, including mayors, were severely restricted, numerous Kurdish cities were destroyed in military operations, democratic rights were drastically reduced, media banned, and journalists and politicians were forced into exile as part of an alleged fight against terrorism.

In the documentary, produced by Adil Demirci and others, the repressions against elected politicians and the left-wing HDP are presented in more detail, as well as the politics of the forced administration and waiver of the immunity of deputies. The stories are told by Nursel Aydogan (former HDP deputy), Firat Anli (deposed mayor of Diyarbakir), and Zülküf Karatekin (deposed mayor of Kayapinar-Diyarbakir). They report on the consequences of the repression on them and their families, their decision to go into exile, and their current situation. More than 20 HDP MPs and mayors are currently living in exile. In the film (original soundtrack with English subtitles) the three politicians speak in their respective mother tongue: Turkish, Kurmanji and Zazaki.

Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with Adil Demirci, Firat Anli and Nursel Aydogan. MEP Özlem Alev Demirel (MEP, THE LEFT) will also take part in the discussion. The participants will report on their experiences both at home and abroad, talk about the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in May and take a look ahead to the future. Three alliances are facing each other in the election: the AKP-MHP alliance, the alliance of the CHP and IYI party, and a pro-Kurdish Left alliance. While the Left alliance will not be given a chance to govern, future government formation will depend on its tactical positioning. Current polls predict a defeat for the existing AKP-MHP regime. The crucial question will be what happens when Erdogan’s regime is replaced. Could there be a CHP-IYI party government alliance? In the past, many other centre-right alliances, though in government responsibility, have been unable to resolve the Kurdish question. Crucial to the election will also be which alliance will come up with a convincing plan to solve the current economic crisis, in particular to limit inflation and eliminate the trade deficit, which is severely impacting the import-dependent economy.

Registration (coffee/tea):

 

3.30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

 

Screening
(Turkish with English subtitles):
4 p.m. – 4.45 p.m.

“PRISON OR EXILE – DEPOSED MAYORS IN EXILE”

The film addresses the ongoing repression against the leftist pro-Kurdish HDP and their elected politicians in Turkey. The stories are told by three politicians. They report on the consequences of the repression on them and their families, their decision to go into exile, and their difficult conditions in exile.

Short break (coffee/tea):
4.45 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Panel discussion
(Turkish-English simultaneous translation):
5 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.

“REGIME CHANGE!: THE HDP TIPPING THE SCALES”

with

  • Özlem Alev Demirel (MEP, THE LEFT)
  • Nursel Aydogan (former HDP MP, now residing in Germany)
  • Firat Anli (deposed mayor of Diyarbakir, now residing in Switzerland)
  • Adil Demirci (Producer)

Moderator:

  • Dr Arif Rüzgar (RLS Brussels)

Reception:
6.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Brussels Office
Rue Saint-Ghislain 62
1000 Brussels