Activists across Europe have protested Turkish military operations in Southern Kurdistan (Iraq). The attacks have received attention for their brutal violation of human rights with many civilians coming under bombardment.
Despite the threat of Coronavirus activists have continued to protest the Turkish state whilst making sure to follow medical advice on social distancing and the wearing of masks, as much as possible.
Sweden:
In Sweden, protests took place in the cities of Västreås, Borlänge, Karlstad, Eskilstuna and Gävle. Activists opened banners with various slogans: “Turkish army get out of Kurdistan”, “Terrorist Turkish state, terrorist AKP”, “Yesterday Afrin, South Kurdistan today!”
Germany:
Protests took place in several German cities. In Berlin, Kurdish activists and others gathered in Alexanderplatz protested the Turkish attacks against South Kurdistan, Maxmur Camp and Rojava.
Activists demanded that all prisoners be released. PYD Berlin branch, DESTDAN Women’s Council and Ciwanen Şoreşger activists from Navenda Civaka Kurdistan Azad Assembly joined the action.
Speaking here, Die Linke (Left Party) Berlin State Deputy Hakan Tas pointed out that the Turkish state’s attacks on Kurds increased at a time when the world is mobilizing to fight the coronavirus.
Similar protests took place in the cities of Hildeshim, Nuremburg, Frankfurt and Esslingen. Protesters took to city squares to condemn the violence of the Turkish military.
In Freiburg, a press statement from various Kurdish activists was read out at the Alte Synagoge. The statement condemned; the fascist Turkish state’s attacks on Kurdish values in all parts of Kurdistan, especially Rojava and Bashur, and the KDP betrayal.
Meanwhile, in Stuttgart activists hung a banner on an overpass, which read “Erdoğan plans wars in times of Corona”.
France:
Activists in cities across France also organised protests against the war crimes of the Turkish state and its illegal incursions into Southern Kurdistan.
In central Paris and the Suburb of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges Kurdish activists condemned the attacks launched by Turkey in South Kurdistan and the complicity of the KDP regional government.
In Drancy a group of Tevgera Ciwanên Şoreşger (TCŞ) and Jinên Ciwanên Azad (JCA) activists protested the attacks on South Kurdistan. “During the coronavirus period, Erdogan carried out many attacks on Kurds, Maxmur and Zînî Wertê. Three women died in the attack on April 15 [on Maxmur Camp].”
Protests in Toulouse also condemned the attacks and took to acts of civil disobedience as part of their protests.
Similarly, in Marseilles activists blockaded roads to protest the Turkish military operations and the failure of the International community to hold the regime in Ankara accountable.
