29 June 1999
The South African Communist Party (SACP) expresses its outrage at the decision of the Turkish authorities to execute the leader of the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan. This action typifies the approach of the Turkish authorities in handling the legitimate struggles and grievances of the Kurdish people and the main organisation representing Kurdish aspirations, the PKK. The one major crime committed in this entire saga - the illegal capture, detention and torture of Abdullah Ocalan - has confirmed the earlier warning issued by the SACP that any trial conducted by the Turkish "justice system" amounts to a threat of execution.
While the 'eyes' of the world have been focused on the imperialist aggression and intra-ethnic conflict in Yugoslavia, the ongoing ethnic genocide in Turkey has been all but ignored by the "international community".
The SACP calls on the Turkish authorities to reconsider the planned execution of Ocalan, and on all progressive forces around the world to exert maximum pressure to halt this outrage. Executing Ocalan will not solve anything, but only exacerbate the already intense emotions surrounding the struggles of the Kurdish people. The Turkish authorities need to address the legitimate demands of the Kurdish people and understand that Abdullah Ocalan has a central role to play in any solution.
Issued by the SACP Department of Information & Publicity
General Secretary Dr.Blade Nzimande
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
South African Communist Party Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
(Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2)
(Fax: 27 11 339-4244)