Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Şaylemez were assassinated on 9 January 2013 in the French capital, Paris. Despite the persistent efforts of the Kurdish community and their allies, France closed the case of the first Paris assassination by invoking “state secrecy.” The failure to conduct an effective investigation into the first Paris assassination, and the subsequent cover-up, paved the way for a new massacre. Evîn Goyî, the artist Mîr Perwer, and the Kurdish activist Abdurrahman Kızıl were killed on 23 December 2022 at the Ahmet Kaya Kurdish Cultural Center in Paris.
Kurdish people and their allies will conclude a series of actions and events, held since early December to demand clarification of both massacres, with a final march today, Saturday, in front of Gare du Nord in Paris. The march will be held under the slogan “Justice for the Truth,” and Azad Doğan, Co-Chair of the France Democratic Kurdish Council (CDK-F), spoke to ANF.
A comprehensive march is being organised on the anniversary of the assassination of Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Şaylemez, who were killed in Paris on 9 January 2013. At what stage is the case known as the first Paris assassination today? How did the Kurdish community respond to this massacre?
First of all, I commemorate our comrades Sara (Sakine Cansız), Rojbin (Fidan Doğan) and Ronahî (Leyla Şaylemez) with deep respect. We are marking the 13th anniversary of their martyrdom. At the same time, this is also the third anniversary of the martyrdom of Evîn Goyî, Mir Perwer and Xalê Abdurrahman Kızıl. In addition, we are marking the 41st anniversary of the martyrdom of Mustafa Nazif Aktaş, one of the pioneers of our movement, who was assassinated in Paris in 1985, approximately 250 metres from where our community centre stands today. I commemorate all of these comrades with respect.
The attack carried out in Paris in 2013 was an explicit political assassination that directly targeted three leading Kurdish women. The Kurdish people displayed an extremely strong and determined stance in demanding that this massacre be clarified, the truth revealed, and justice delivered. For nearly four to five years, actions were organised almost every week. However, the French state failed to expose the forces behind the attack, its planners, and the political actors responsible.
Even though the confessions of members of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), who were captured by the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in 2017, became public and were formally submitted to the French judicial authorities, the case was not pursued further. At the time, the Kurdish community issued a clear warning: if this massacre was not clarified, the ground would be laid for new attacks. Unfortunately, it became evident once again in 2022 that these warnings were justified.
What would you like to say about the second Paris massacre carried out in 2022?
This attack took place in the very space we are standing in now. Just around ten metres from here, Evîn Goyî, Mir Perwer and Xalê Abdurrahman Kızıl were killed. For ten years, Kurds resisted to prevent new attacks. However, because the French state failed to fulfil its duties and responsibilities, the perpetrators and planners of the second massacre were also emboldened.
If the first massacre had been clarified, we would not be speaking about a second Paris massacre today. The fact that such an attack took place in the very heart of Paris, in one of its most central locations, is the clearest proof of this.
What is the main slogan of this year’s march and commemoration?
The fundamental purpose of organising this commemoration and march is clear: if massacres are left in darkness, the way is paved for new ones. We now want this chain to be broken. Kurds living in Paris are at risk. For this reason, we demand accountability.
We have made a commitment to all our comrades who were martyred. Until the forces behind these massacres are exposed, the planners are brought to trial, and justice is delivered; we will not halt our struggle. That is why we are holding this year’s march under the slogan “Justice for the Truth.”
What is the status of the case related to the second Paris massacre?
The case concerning the first Paris massacre was closed on the grounds of “state secrecy.” Regarding the second Paris massacre, three separate case files were prepared. However, the prosecution did not recognise this attack as a politically motivated act of terror; instead, it defined the incident as an individual act driven by racism and hostility toward migrants.
At the initial stage, the attacker was presented as “someone with psychological problems” and was even hospitalised. Following the strong reaction of the Kurdish people, the families of the victims, and our institutions, this approach was partially withdrawn. Nevertheless, there is still an effort to confine the investigation solely to the gunman. We, however, know that this attack was planned, organised, and carried out in a professional manner.
So far, our families have filed legal objections on three occasions. The case remains at the investigation stage, and it has not yet moved into the prosecution phase. We are now waiting for a court date to be announced.
How strong is the expected participation in the “Justice for the Truth” march? At what stage are the preparations?
The anniversary of the first Paris massacre is commemorated every year in many European countries. However, the commemorations held in Paris see strong participation from across Europe. For this year’s programme, hundreds of buses have been organised, especially from Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Within France, we also expect strong participation from cities outside Paris.
In Paris specifically, intensive preparations have been underway for nearly forty days. Activities are continuing in eight different areas through home visits, outreach to local shopkeepers, press statements, and digital media work. Kurds and their friends will raise this demand for justice together.
Do you have a final call?
We are marching for justice and for the truth. For thirteen years, the Kurdish people have shown a powerful and dignified commitment. This year, we call on all our people and our friends to take to the streets to prevent new massacres and to demand accountability for our martyrs. We invite everyone to join the march to be held in front of Gare du Nord.