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Thousands pay tribute to 35 Alevis burned alive in the infamous Sivas massacre

TRIBUTES were paid today to 35 Alevis burned alive in an infamous massacre as thousands gathered in demonstrations across Turkey vowing never to “surrender to darkness.”

The Democratic Alevi Federation (Feda) said 1993’s Siva massacre was “still a bleeding wound,” and Alevis would not be at peace until those responsible have been held to account.

The Alevis, who traditionally follow a branch of Shia Islam, form a large minority in Turkey that makes up about 20 per cent of the population.

Recalling massacres carried out with the collusion of the Turkish state, including the slaughter of Alevis in Maras (1978) and Corum (1980), Feda warned that “the crimes committed against humanity will continue to bleed in the conscience of Alevis.”

The Sivas massacre took place at the central Turkish city’s Madimak Hotel on July 2 1993. Hundreds of Alevis had gathered there to attend a cultural festival celebrating the life and works of Alevi poet Pir Sultan Abdal.

Left-wing intellectual Aziz Nesin was due to address the festival. His presence angered many Sunni Muslims already irate at his plans to publish British author Salman Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses.

Thousands headed to the hotel after Friday prayers — during which they had been encouraged to attack the hotel — and a mob broke in and set it on fire. Police were accused of complicity by standing by and refusing to stop the attack.

Mr Nezin escaped, but 35 artists and musicians perished in the blaze, including Metin Altiok and Behcet Aysan, writer Asim Bezirci and popular musician Muhlis Akarsu. Two members of the hotel staff were also killed.

A 2015 official report found that the state had been responsible for the attacks, with officials from Sivas showing “serious negligence and failures” in preventing the massacre.

Thirty-three people had been convicted for the attacks and sentenced to death in 1997, but the sentences were commuted to life in prison in 2002, when Turkey abolished capital punishment.

Speaking at today’s parliamentary group meeting, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Sezai Temelli said: “We will hold those responsible accountable for the Alevi massacres. As long as we don’t succeed, it is not possible to ensure social peace.

“A commission for searching for the truth should be formed immediately.”

Trade union Kesk said today that “the fire at the Madimak Hotel continues to burn our hearts.” It warned that the massacre was not just against Alevis but all opposition forces in Turkey, the marginalised and the oppressed.

“The single-authoritarian mentality, which sees different beliefs, cultures and identities as a threat … continues, carrying out new massacres,” it said, citing the Suruc bombings, which killed 33 young people, and the 2016 Ankara bombing, where more than 100 died after bombs exploded at a peace rally.

“We will not surrender to this darkness. We will not accept massacres and deaths. We will not forget.”

The union vowed to continue the struggle for “a free, equal, secular, democratic republic.”

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