DERSIM – The victims of the Dersim Massacre were commemorated with a silent march, marking the 88th anniversary of the tragedy. A statement was made in Seyit Rıza Square, calling for the revelation of burial sites and urging a confrontation with history.
The Dersim Labour and Democracy Platform organized the march, which began at Art Street and concluded in Seyit Rıza Square in central Dersim. The march was attended by various organizations, including the Democratic Alawite Association (DAD), the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), along with citizens. Participants carried posters of Pir Seyit Rıza and a black banner.
‘CONFRONT HISTORY’
Aliriza Bilir, Chair of the Dersim Associations Federation (DEDEF), addressed the gathering, highlighting the genocide that occurred in Dersim 88 years ago. He emphasized, “In Dersim, tens of thousands of our people were killed... many were uprooted from their lands and exiled to distant places.”
Bilir also criticized the cultural assimilation imposed after the massacre, saying, “After the physical annihilation, the process of cultural assimilation was effectively set in motion.” He concluded with a call for a global confrontation with history, adding, “We want to be respected and recognized.”
‘FACING HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL’
Cuma Erçe, Chair of the Pir Sultan Abdal Association, pointed out that not confronting past massacres has led to current issues. He remarked, “The lack of democracy and justice today is rooted in not confronting history.” Erçe emphasized the necessity of addressing both the Republic’s history and its Ottoman predecessor to achieve true justice and democracy.
88 YEARS OF ON-GOING PAIN
Ergin Tekin, Chair of the Labour Party (EMEP) Dersim Provincial Organisation, spoke about the enduring pain of the massacre’s survivors. He said: “This massacre was aimed at destroying a culture, a faith and an identity. For 88 years, the people of Dersim have lived with this pain.” Tekin stressed that only by confronting the massacre could the community begin to heal.
‘WE WILL CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE’
Yüksel Mutlu, Co-Spokesperson of the DEM Party’s Peoples and Beliefs Commission, connected the event to broader struggles for equality. He said, “This is the Dersim genocide, a continuous, never-ending pain we are speaking of. Without confronting this genocide, we cannot speak of democracy in Turkey.” Mutlu also called for ongoing efforts to achieve equal citizenship for all groups.
Hüseyin Mat, Chair of the European Alevi Associations Federation, expressed the Alevis' desire for peace, while Zeynel Kete, Co-Chair of DAD, criticized the historical exclusion of Dersim's beliefs and sacred sites. He emphasized the cultural significance of graves in Alevi tradition, saying, “If today they leave us without graves, they are leaving us without culture, history, and language.”
The march concluded with a call for justice and remembrance for those lost during the Dersim Massacre, highlighting the on-going struggle for acknowledgment and accountability.