The European Forum, held annually in different cities across Europe, took place for the second time this year in Vienna. During the event, which lasted from October 28 to November 2, representatives of left-wing, green, and progressive parties came together to exchange views and present various proposals with the aim of mobilising to restore European policies guided and oriented towards peace, social justice and climate justice.
The participants also discussed the crises in the Middle East and Europe’s responsibility. They brought up the massacres in Kurdistan and criticized Europe’s silence.
The European Forum is known as a platform where left-wing, green, and progressive movements can share their struggles and aim to produce fair, peaceful, and green solutions to the crises facing Europe. This year’s forum featured a session titled “The Middle East and Europe’s Responsibility,” which addressed regional issues stretching from Kurdistan to Palestine.
“We denounce the fact that, over the last ten years, the Kurdish people have suffered numerous massacres and mass displacement, such as those in Shengal, Kobanê, Afrin and Cizre. Only respect for the Kurdish people’s right to self-determination can contribute to peace and prosperity in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey,” said the final declaration of the forum.
Speaking at the session titled “The Responsibility of the Middle East and Europe,” DEM Party European Representative Eyüp Doru assessed the developments in Turkey, Kurdistan, and the Middle East. While the Kurdish Freedom Movement has taken steps toward peace and a democratic society in Turkey, the government has not responded, he noted.
Recalling that thousands of politicians, including former Co-Chairs of the HDP Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, are still behind bars, Doru stated: “The establishment of a commission in the Turkish parliament regarding the peace process and the ceasefire being in effect are important developments. However, for this process to progress healthily, Mr. Öcalan must be provided with free conditions.”
Doru also commented on developments in North and East Syria, stating, “The path to a solution in Syria lies through autonomy. The real democratic alternative in Syria is the SDF, which is the collective power of the people, including Kurds, Arabs, and Syriacs. The most realistic solution for Syria’s future is a democratic confederal and decentralized model. This model is based on the unity, equality, and freedom of the peoples. Unfortunately, the Turkish government continues to play an obstructive role against both the gains of the peoples in Rojava and regional peace efforts. As the search for a solution in Syria progresses, Turkey’s military interventions are undermining this process.”
Drawing attention to the Kurdish people’s struggle for peace and democracy, Doru continued: “Peace and democracy are necessary not only for the Kurds, but for all the peoples of the Middle East. The Kurdish people’s struggle is the common struggle of humanity. My call to all left-wing, green, and progressive groups here is to stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people’s struggle for peace and freedom.”
Representatives from Palestine, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Germany spoke at other sessions of the forum.
Palestinian State representative Rola Afifi Tashiran criticized Europe’s military support for Israel, saying, “Gaza is still being bombed, Europe’s silence is empowering the genocide.”
Vera Polycarpou from Cyprus emphasized that NATO and Europe’s militaristic policies are destabilizing the region.
Claudia Haydt from Germany and Anna Camposampiero from Italy condemned their countries’ arms sales to Israel, while Néstor Prieto from Spain described the events in Gaza as “a moral warning.”
Walter Baier, President of the European Left Party, drew attention to the centuries-long attacks against the Kurds, stating, “Lasting peace in the region is impossible unless the Kurdish people attain their freedom.”
Participants emphasized that Europe should not limit itself to condemnation messages, highlighting the importance of concrete political steps toward sanctions and international pressure.
The forum concluded with a call to “strengthen solidarity for the unity and freedom of peoples.”
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