Swiss Socialist Party (SP) MP Beat Jeans said the PKK was a freedom movement, adding that the Kurds in Rojava are waging a struggle to protect human values. “The Rojava system is the only alternative model for the future of the peoples of the Middle East,” he said. Jeans also called for support for the HDP in the 7 June elections.

SP Federal deputy Beat Jeans spoke to the ANF regarding the struggle of the YPG and YPJ in Rojava against ISIS gangs and other topics.

‘Only the Kurds are fighting for the future of the peoples of the Middle East’ 

Jeans emphasised that only the Kurdish YPG and YPJ were fighting ISIS in the chaos of the Middle East, adding: “The Kurds will bring democracy to the Middle East. Everyone should appreciate the great struggle the Kurds are waging against ISIS.”

Jeans continued: “The struggle waged in Kobanê was not just for the future of the Kurds. This resistance was also a great struggle for humanity, which triumphed.” Jeans said the victory won in Kobanê had boosted the morale of humanity.

Jeans said the Kurds should be supported in their exemplary struggle against ISIS, the enemies of humanity.

‘The PKK is a freedom movement’ 

Jeans said he considered the PKK to be a freedom movement, and that it was wrong for certain states to still have the organisation on their list of terrorist organisations. Jeans recalled the struggle he had waged to ensure the PKK was not listed in Switzerland, adding: “While I do not support everything the PKK does, I see them as freedom fighters.”

‘If the parties wish, Switzerland is prepared to be a monitoring country’

Jeans mentioned the process of democratic resolution launched by Abdullah Öcalan, saying as a party they considered this to be important.  He added that the Swiss government had agreed to be a third party if requested by the parties involved in the process.

Jeans added that it was important for democracy in Turkey that the process succeed, saying: “These rights should be given constitutional safeguards.”

‘HDP should be supported for sake of democracy’ 

Jeans said the HDP was a great opportunity for the peoples of Turkey and that the party should be supported for the sake of democracy, equality and freedoms. He called on Turkish and Kurdish voters resident in Switzerland to vote for the HDP at the upcoming general election.

‘Atıcı should be supported’

Jeans recalled that there are federal elections in Switzerland in October, adding that foreigners should get involved in Swiss politics. He said that Kurdish candidate Mustafa Atıcı, who is standing in Basel, should be supported, as he would be the first federal deputy of Kurdish origin.