Peace Delegation member: Turkish invasion of South Kurdistan must be stopped

Dr. Mechthild Exo is one of the member of the International Peace Delegation that managed to reached South Kurdistan despite, as she said, the “many obstacles we faced. They sent many delegation members back to their home countries."

Dr. Mechthild Exo is one of the member of the International Peace Delegation. “We came here because of the spread of the conflict and the invasion of Turkey. This aggression, this war is against democracy, freedom, women's rights and ecological thinking. The attack here is much more than an attack on Kurdistan and its people and nature, it is an invasion,” said Dr. Exo. She continued: “It is very important not only for the Kurdish people but also for us to stop Turkey's attack, so that a free and dignified common life together with the democratic and women's liberation movements in the region can be established. For this reason, we resolutely stand by the Kurdish people.”

Dr. Exo added: “I see a lot in common with people who have experienced femicide. We are also fighting against femicide in Europe.

The experience of women here is much worse. There are many killings of women here, and the policies of repression and occupation against the Kurds make the situation of women much worse. The current situation is very dangerous and threatens women and the entire society. Women understand this and are determined to resist even though they have suffered a lot. They have lost their children, their nature, their homeland and see the land they have links with being destroyed. With strength, train themselves, unite, organize each other and build resistance against the occupation.”

Dr. Exo continued: “Here we encountered many obstacles. They sent many delegation members back to their home countries. They could not enter Kurdistan. They prevented us from meeting with other groups. They don't want us here.

Worse than that is that they allow what Turkey is doing. They allow Turkey to establish a base, to bombard and kill people, to attack by drones, to cut trees and to burn forests.

Everyone we meet here says that Turkey should leave Kurdistan. The bombardment must stop and the invasion must not be allowed. They should listen to the voice of the people. What is happening here is not democratic.”