COLOGNE, Germany – The Alevi Youth Union of Cologne (BDAJ-Koln), which calls itself the largest refugee group in Germany, says it will focus on supporting leftist groups in Turkey and continue to work on democratic change there, following the election of Mazlum Dogan as its new leader.
“The Alevi Youth Union is now the biggest refugee group in Germany and the government recognizes it officially,” said Dogan following his election last week. “We aren’t different from other German organizations.”
According to Dogan the union has 33,000 members and most of its projects are funded by the German government.
Dogan himself was in charge of the union’s educational department before being elected to the leadership position, which he will hold for two years.
“We have recorded great success in democratizing Turkey by organizing demonstrations and marches in Berlin and Cologne for tens of thousands of people,” said Dogan.
Most Alevis in Turkey and Syria identity themselves as Kurds and, according to Dogan, the focus of their union is to bring an alternative to politics in Turkey.
“We have plans to support the leftists in Turkey so that there is an alternative to the right wing, religious and conservative groups,” said Dogan. He said that members of his union live in different cities and states across Germany.
“I will stay with the main principle of our union which is standing against racist, religious and right wing groups,” he told Rudaw.
Meanwhile, Dogan urged leftist youth groups in Turkey to put their differences and rivalry aside and work together.
“The Alevi union needs Kurds, Christians, democrats and socialists in order to democratize Turkey,” he said.
Since the start of the Syrian revolution, Alevis in the world have been divided in their political views. Some stand by Syrian President Bashar Assad – who is an Alevi -- and believe he should stay in power.
Dogan said that his union sees the need for democracy in Syria, but also admitted that radical Islamist groups are about to dominate the entire revolution.
“The Alevis in Europe have supported the call for democracy in Syria because it is a demand originating from inside the society,” he said. “But now, radical Islam has the most influence in the war against Assad and we do not support them or their violence against civilians.”
Dogan added that his organization also condemns the brutality of the Assad regime against the Syrian people.
“Assad is also acting with violence against his people, in particular no one should forget his violence against the Kurds of Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan),” he said.
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