In a written statement to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sivas massacre, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) called on the government to face up to its past and to apologize to the Alewi community for its responsibility in the Sivas massacre.

BDP evaluated the Sivas massacre as a consequence of the the Turkish state's approach towards the Alewi community, different identities, cultures and belief groups.

“The Sivas massacre, which is a dark page in the history, continues remaining as a wound and pain in the public conscience. No proper light was shed on the massacre in the last twenty years, nor were all its perpetrators taken to trial. Some of the perpetrators freely went abroad, while the others continued leading their life, getting married ,having children and opening workplaces”, BDP said and remarked that the perpetrators were eventually emancipated as the Sivas massacre case was dropped nineteen years later.

The Turkish state, which is today using excessive pressure water with chemicals against people using their right to demonstrate in Gezi Park protests, didn't pour a drop of water on the fire that burnt people to death in Madımak, BDP said and reminded that the state has further refused the public demand for the change of the hotel to a museum.

The wounds of the Alewi community are not healing but getting deeper and deeper every day, BDP underlined and added the followings; "The naming of the third bridge in Istanbul after Yavuz Sultan Selim (a Sultan in Ottoman Empire under whose rule 40 thousand Alewi people were massacred), the planned destruction of Gola Çetu in Dersim, a sacred place for Alewis, is hurting the Alewi community at this time which is witnessing efforts for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question, Gezi Park protests and enhancement of objections against the dominant powers in the society”.

Describing the Alewi community as one of the basic dynamics in public opposition, BDP pointed out that Alewis had no more tolerance left to temporizing practices of the Turkish state. A true initiative for Alewis will become meaningful with the recognition of djemevis as the place of worship of Alewis, it said.

BDP remarked that the Turkish state, responsible for securing the justice, made way for new massacres for failing to ensure the trial and punishment of those responsible for the massacres suffered in the country in the past. “The Gazi and Roboski massacres would not have taken place had light been shed on Sivas massacre. However, every massacre covered up by the state set the stage for further massacres”, it underlined.

The party said that the Turkish state must now face up to its past to ensure the relief of consciences, the security of justice and the achievement of social peace.

BDP ended its statement by urging the Turkish state and government to apologize to the Alewi community for its responsibility in the Sivas massacre.