A delegation from Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) including HDP Van parliamentarian Tuba Hezer and HDK Europe Spokesperson Demir Çelik met with Swiss Federal Assembly parliamentarians from different political parties to discuss the recent developments in Turkey and North Kurdistan.

Socialist Party parliamentarians Carlo Sommaruga, Angola Barrile, Laurence Fehlmann, Anita Fetz, Claudie Friedli, Mathias Reynard, Martin Neaf, Silva Semadeni and Cedric Wermuth, Green Party Group Chair Balhasar Glatti and parliamentarians Denis de Reussile and Hasim Sancar, Switzerland Folk Party parliamentarian Ronald Rino Büchel and Christian Democrat Party parliamentarian Claude Béglé attended the meeting.

HDP DELEGATION TOLD ABOUT THE ONGOING UNLAWFULNESS

The HDP delegation informed Swiss parliamentarians on the human rights violations and anti-democratic policies taking place in Turkey and North Kurdistan, and drew attention to the developments taking place in Nusaybin's Xerebê Bava village under the siege of Turkish state forces over the past 2 weeks.

The HDP delegation also informed the parliamentarians about the referendum that will take place on April 16, and asked Switzerland to play a role in this process as a referendum during a state of emergency would not be democratic.

The HDP delegation also emphasized the attacks on the HDP and massacres in Kurdish cities, and underlined that Switzerland should create awareness on these issues in the international arena.

SWISS DEPUTIES: ARREST OF HDP MPS IS UNACCEPTABLE

Speaking after the HDP deputies, Swiss parliamentarians said they have been watching the developments in Turkey and North Kurdistan closely and will do all they can on this issue. Parliamentarians emphasized that the arrest of HDP parliamentarians is unacceptable, and that Turkey should give an end to such unlawful practices.

Swiss parliamentarians also stated that they have been monitoring the trial of HDP parliamentarians closely, and a Swiss delegations would soon go to Turkey and visit HDP parliamentarians in prison.

REFERENDUM CANNOT BE HELD UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY

Swiss parliamentarians noted that a referendum held during a state of emergency would not be democratic, and said “A referendum at a time when all the opposition is arrested and everyone objecting to Erdoğan is being silenced through oppression cannot be democratic.”

Swiss parliamentarians stated that Erdoğan has been trying to intimidate Europe with the refugee crisis, and called upon Europe to end its passive stance against Turkey.

Lastly, Swiss parliamentarians announced that they would send a delegation of parliamentarians to Turkey during the Newroz celebrations and the referendum process.