Reactions to the news that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is invited to join the 1st UN Global Refugee Forum in Geneva between 17 and 18 December are growing.

YJK-S and CDK-S said in a joint statement that this visit was unacceptable. "During his term in power, Erdoğan and his coalition party MHP declared war against the Kurds. Thousands were arrested and thousands were forced to migrate. Thousands of politicians, women's rights activists, mayors, party presidents, co-chairs, academics and human rights activists have been arrested and hundreds have been killed."

The statement added: "Erdoğan has committed all these crimes with his regime with the support of jihadist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Al-Nusra. The massacres and crimes against humanity in northern Syria are known by the United Nations."

YJK-S and CDK-S reminded the occupation of northern and eastern Syria launched by Turkey on 9 October and emphasized that war crimes are being committed against all segments of society.

The statement continued: "The massacre of children in Northern Syria is the result of the silence and inaction of the United Nations and humanitarian organizations."

The statement added: "Erdoğan and his allies use refugees as leverage against Europe and receive millions of euros which are actually being used to wage war. The silence of international institutions and the public opinion is shocking."

The Kurdish organisations said: "It is unacceptable for us that the UN and Switzerland invite Erdoğan, an ally of war criminals and jihadists, and allow him to enter the country.

We call on the international community and human rights organizations to immediately put an end to their silence and inaction and to remember their values."

The organisations called on people to meet "on 17 December at 11.00 in Geneva, in front of the UN. We invite all our people to join this action."

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