Kurdish Anti-Fascist News From Germ

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: Arm The Spirit <ats at etext.org>
Subject: Kurdish Anti-Fascist News From Germany

Kurdish Anti-Fascist News From Germany

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7,000 Protest Murder Of Seyfettin Kalan In Neumunster

	On September 9, 7,000 people protested in Neumunster against the 
murder of Kurdish activist Seyfettin Kalan by Turkish fascists six days 
earlier. Seyfettin was killed on September 3 by members of the "Grey 
Wolves"; two other Kurds were wounded.
	The very fact that funeral processions are the only allowable 
form of political expression for the Kurdish exile community shows the 
reality of the situation which Kurds in Germany have faced since 
Kanther's bans went into effect. The murder of Seyfettin Kalan is the 
climax of an increasing wave of provocations and attacks on Kurdish 
establishments by Turkish fascists, the "Grey Wolves" (MHP), or by other 
pro-government forces, sometimes with the direct support of the Turkish 
consulate. The persecution of Kurdish associations by the German 
authorities only gives heart to these forces to increase their 
provocations and attacks. For example, Turkish fascists had already 
attacked Kurds in Neumunster on the Saturday before this murder. And a 
few days before, police had to protect a Kurdish establishment in 
Rendsburg from an attack by Grey Wolves.
	Even after the murder in Neumunster, the German authorities 
refused to pursue those responsible, namely the structures of the Grey 
Wolves in Germany, rather they continued to persecute the Kurds.  The CDU 
in Schleswig-Holstein [the state where Neumunster is] and CDU member of 
parliament Olderog criticized the "restraint" which police seem to show 
by not preventing banned symbols from being displayed (meaning Kurdish 
ERNK flags). Even the head of the police union, Lutz, complained to SPD 
state interior minister Wienholtz that he knew the funeral procession was 
being "directed" by the banned PKK and he advised Wienholtz to do 
something about this.
	We can only conclude from this that the German authorities, in 
confrontations between Turkish fascists and Kurds, don't persecute the 
fascist murderers but rather the Kurdish victims!

(Translated from Kurdistan Rundbrief 19/95)

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Seyfettin Kalan Is Immortal!

	On Sunday, September 3, 1995, Kurdish activist Seyfettin Kalan 
was murdered in Neumunster. This attack marks a new high point in the 
terror against Kurds in Germany at the hands of the fascist Turkish "Grey 
Wolves". In the past few days, there have been repeated confrontations in 
several German cities. On Saturday in Neumunster, Kurds were chased 
through the streets and beaten. In Ulm, Bielefeld, and Muhlheim, arson 
attacks have been carried out against Kurdish establishments.
	On Sunday evening, about 15 Turkish youths assembled near the 
'Kochloffel' restaurant in Neumunster. They immediately attacked two 
Kurds standing outside, at which point one of the Turks pointed at 
Seyfettin Kalan and called out his name before firing at him several 
times. Of the four other Kurds who came out of the restaurant to help, 
two were shot and wounded. According to eye witnesses, at least three of 
the attacking fascists were armed with pistols.
	The "Grey Wolves" [known as 'Bozkurt' in Turkish - ATS] are 
members of the Turkish MHP (National Movement Party), which has as its 
goal the destruction of all "enemies of Turkey", meaning the Kurds. They 
are supported in this by the Turkish secret police, as well as by 
Turkey's embassies and consulates. By means of front organizations such 
as sports clubs, mosques, and associations, Turkish youths are trained 
and armed. Their conduct is similar to that of Turkish contra-guerrillas 
back home, who are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. The 
General Staff in Turkey has stated on several occasions that he plans to 
declare war on "separatist Kurds" in Europe as well. (...)
	The anti-Kurdish stance of the German government has become clear 
once again through the conduct of the police following the murder of 
Seyfettin Kalan. The "investigations" thus far have been based solely on 
the statements of Turkish fascists. Interior minister Kanther has stated 
that "the fight against the PKK is also the responsibility of Turkish 
citizens", which amounts to legitimation and encouragement for the 
supporters of the "Grey Wolves".
	In order to express our sadness at the death of Seyfettin Kalan, 
and to protest against the anti-Kurdish sentiments in Germany, we will 
hold a funeral procession in Neumunster on Saturday, September 9, 1995, 
which will begin at the Friedrich-Ebert Hospital where the wounded Kurds 
are being treated.
	We call on the democratic public to take part in this march and 
to demonstrate with us as we call for a political solution in Kurdistan.

(translated from a leaflet prepared by the demonstration's preparatory 
committee)

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