ANKARA - Alevi organisations, which gathered in front of the Parliament against the draft law on "Alevi Bektaşi Culture and Djemevi Presidency", called out: "We demand equal citizenship, not a bag of laws."

 

Before the draft law on the "Alevi Bektaşi Culture and Djemevi Presidency" announced by AKP President Tayyip Erdoğan, which will be discussed in the General Assembly of the Parliament today, Alevi organisations gathered in front of the Parliament. Hundreds of people participated in the demo in which Alevis condemned the draft law and voiced their demand for "equal citizenship" with the slogans "AKP will be held accountable to the people". Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Republican People's Party (CHP) and Turkey Workers' Party (TIP) MPs, Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) and representatives of many non-governmental organisations supported Alevi organisations.

 

In the demonstration, the joint statement of Alevi Bektaşi Federation (ABF), Alevi Associations Federation (ADFE), Alevi Foundations Federation (AVF), European Alevi Unions Federation (AABF), Hacı Bektaşi Anatolian Culture Foundation (HBAKV), Alevi Culture Associations (AKD), Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Associations (PSAKD) and Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD) with the title  of “We want equal citizenship, not the bag of laws” was read by ADFE Chairperson Celal Fırat.

 

'DJEMEVIS MADE TO LOOK PROBLEMATIC WITH THIS LAW'

 

Stating that the AKP's assimilation policies against Alevis continue and that the Alevis, who were not seen as equal citizens in the first century of the Republic, wanted to be completely uprooted in the second century, Fırat said: "The Alevi problem could not be solved by adding items like basic expenditure. Djemevis, which are the worshipping places of Alevis are made to look problematic with this law."

 

'ALEVIS EXIST'

 

Expressing that AKP denied the Alevi belief and identity with this bill and made an Alevi definition in its own way, Fırat said: “Alevism is portrayed as a cultural element under the Sunni tradition which insults our faith and identity, especially with this law. While the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the demands of the Alevi people have been around for decades, the AKP government solves nothing with this bill. We are shouting out here once again what we have been saying for years, the political power now has to see. Alevis exist, Alevis are here and believing in Alawism is a right. A law regulating the rights of Alevis should be drafted.”