Alevis in Europe suspends ties with umbrella organization
COLOGNE
The European Alevi Unions Confederation has announced that it suspended relations with an umbrella organization of Turkish and Kurdish associations following incidents at a recent rally in Germany.The confederation described the use of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) flags and posters of its jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, during a rally in Cologne on Nov. 12 as an “act of provocation.”
At least 30 different groups included in the “Platform of Democratic Forces Union” attended the rally organized by the European Alevi Unions Confederation at Deutzer Werft Square in Cologne.
A group of PKK supporters chanted slogans praising the PKK and its jailed leader at the rally, refusing to lower their PKK flags and Öcalan posters despite warnings from the organization committee.
The European Alevi Unions Confederation said in a written statement on Nov. 13 that it had suspended relations with the platform.
“Our meeting was held with great attendance, a brave stance and a determination of struggle despite all the problems. We thank all attendees for their prudent behavior, without giving any chance for provocation,” the statement read.
The confederation added that it was “obligated to suspend and review its relations with the platform,” saying it would not allow itself to be associated with any illegal group.
At least 30 different groups included in the “Platform of Democratic Forces Union” attended the rally organized by the European Alevi Unions Confederation at Deutzer Werft Square in Cologne.
A group of PKK supporters chanted slogans praising the PKK and its jailed leader at the rally, refusing to lower their PKK flags and Öcalan posters despite warnings from the organization committee.
The European Alevi Unions Confederation said in a written statement on Nov. 13 that it had suspended relations with the platform.
“Our meeting was held with great attendance, a brave stance and a determination of struggle despite all the problems. We thank all attendees for their prudent behavior, without giving any chance for provocation,” the statement read.
The confederation added that it was “obligated to suspend and review its relations with the platform,” saying it would not allow itself to be associated with any illegal group.
