Pascal Torre and Annick Samouelian, Co-Chairs of the National Coordination for Solidarity with Kurdistan (CNSK), wrote an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, asking him to abandon his hypocritical policy on the Kurds.

“The Kurds cannot be used as an adjustment variable on the altar of political and economic relations between France and Turkey,” emphasised the letter published in the Humanité newspaper, which reads as follows:

“Mr President of the Republic,

For several months now, we have been witnessing a significant intensification of the repression against the Kurds of France. Leading figures such as Remzi Kartal, the most prominent Kurdish figure in Europe and co-chair of Kongra-Gel, have been banned from entering France. Unfounded proceedings against activists are leading to increasingly heavy sentences, while the opaque and arbitrary practice of freezing assets is seriously undermining human rights.

Withdrawal of refugee status is becoming more widespread, leading to arrests and deportation to Turkey. The acts of which they are accused are in no way reprehensible, since they involve participation in the life of a Kurdish association, meetings with elected representatives of the Republic, demonstrations and public speeches, or fundraising. These individuals have never been convicted, and their activities are legal and peaceful, in accordance with French law.

The Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Union itself have echoed the infringements of freedoms and violations of fundamental rights suffered by the Kurds and democratic forces in this country. Nearly 60,000 political prisoners, tortured and ill-treated, are labelled "terrorists" by a judiciary that takes orders from an autocratic government. Daily arrests, in their hundreds, are now unlimited.

By acting in this way, the French government is complying with and anticipating the growing demands of the Turkish government, reinforcing the repression and denial of the Kurdish people. The recent orders for activists hunted down by the government in Ankara to leave French territory endanger the lives of individuals who share our humanist values.

There is no justification for this. The Kurds respect France's democratic rules and have never committed the slightest act of violence on our territory, but have on the other hand been the victims of murderous attacks on our soil. No one can remain indifferent to their unwavering commitment to the fight against DAESH (ISIS), at the cost of immeasurable sacrifices to protect us.

The French authorities cannot claim, on the one hand, to be giving them diplomatic support and receiving a delegation of Kurdish fighters and, on the other, to be perpetuating a policy of stigmatisation and coercion against these women and men who have come to France seeking protection and refuge. So, you understand, Mr President of the Republic, that this dual stance is unacceptable. The Kurds cannot be heroes in the Middle East and "terrorists" here at the same time.

It is regrettable that human rights organisations, which have worked under difficult conditions for the rights of Kurds in Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq, should now be forced to devote their energies to the Kurds living in our country.

The fight against "terrorist" organisations cannot be waged without the necessary discernment, particularly with regard to the Kurds. The inclusion of the PKK on the list of terrorist organisations, at Turkey's sole request, is unfounded. It serves to criminalise a movement that fights against obscurantism, defends freedom, peace and human rights, and with which the French government maintains relations. The Kurds cannot be used as an adjustment variable on the altar of political and economic relations between France and Turkey.

The member organisations of the National Coordination for Solidarity with Kurdistan (CNSK) expect a salutary change of direction from the French authorities so that these waves of repression cease and so that protection is granted to this threatened and already bereaved Kurdish community in France.”