A mass demonstration was held in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday to mark 10 December Human Rights Day, during which Swiss politicians and organisations protested the dictatorial regime of Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed solidarity with the Kurdish people and democratic circles.

The demo was joined by a number of Swiss politicians and representatives including Jean Ziegler -UNHCR member and a close friend of Che Guevara-, SP Federal MPs Carlo Sommaruga and Laurence Fehlmann Rielle,

Ueli Leuenberger – former leader of the Green Party of Switzerland-, Alix Parodi from PEN Switzerland, Ranienne Ebel- Maeche Mondiale des Femmes Representative for Switzerland-, Geneva Municipality Council Member Remy Pagani and Solidarité Initiative Representative Jean Batou.

During the demonstration at Place Neuve, Swiss politicians called for action against the anti-democratic policies of Erdoğan and the AKP government.

BATOU: SOLIDARITY WITH THE KURDISH PEOPLE MUST BE ENHANCED

The first speech in the rally was made by Jean Batou on behalf of Solitarité, who pointed out that Turkish President Erdoğan staged a civilian coup against democratic opposition after the failed coup of July 15.

Describing Erdoğan as a dictator, Batou called attention to the dimension of human rights violations in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.

Stressing that Erdoğan ignored all international laws as he attacked the opposition in the country, Batou said it was a must to ensure international solidarity with the Kurdish people and democratic circles as Erdoğan tried to illegalize Kurds all around the world.

Batou called on the Federal Council of Switzerland, the Council of Europe and the United Nations to stop pursuing a passive policy against Turkey.

EBEL: WOMEN WORLWIDE SHOULD TAKE TO THE STREETS AGAINST ERDOĞAN

Speaking after, Ranienne Ebel, Maeche Mondiale des Femmes Representative for Switzerland, underlined that Erdoğan was endeavoring to build his own dictatorship by executing a plan of annihilation against the democratic circles in Turkey.

Ebel called attention to the attacks on mainly Kurdish women in Turkey, remarking that they as women will resist against Erdoğan, his dictatorial system and gender-based politics. Ebel called on women to take to the streets worldwide against Erdoğan's dictatorship.

LEUENBERGER: EU AND SWITZERLAND SHOULD ACT

Ueli Leuenberger, former leader of the Green Party of Switzerland, started his words by criticizing the policy pursued by Europe and Switzerland against Erdoğan's dictatorial regime.

Remarking that Erdoğan ignored the universal human rights, Leuenberger said the following: "Universal human rights do not change depending on the country. These rights appertain to everyone living all around the world and it is a responsibility of all those who recognise these rights to act in the event that these rights are trampled on somewhere. I therefore reiterate that Switzerland and the EU should take action against Erdoğan dictatorship immediately."

SOMMARUGA: ERDOĞAN IGNORES ALL THE JUDICIARY

Speaking after, SP Federal MP Carlo Sommaruga said they would never accept the imprisonment of HDP co-chairs and deputies.

Sommaruga emphasised that HDP was doing politics for the democratic future of Turkey's peoples rather than just for Kurds alone, and that HDP was the most prominent force standing against the dictatorial regime Erdoğan wanted to build.

The Swiss MP remarked that Erdoğan kind of terrorized the democratic circles by ignoring all judicial values, and vowed that they as Swiss politicians would enhance their solidarity with the Kurdish people and democratic circles.

Sommaruga called on the Federal Council of Switzerland and the Council of Europe to act against Erdoğan urgently.

PAGANİ: FREEDOM STRUGGLE OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

Geneva Municipality Council Member Remy Pagani also drew attention to the anti-democratic policies in Turkey, and stressed that the autonomous system Kurds want to build and their freedom struggle should be supported.

Pagani stated that Erdoğan should be recognized as a dictator and a fight must be given against him in the international arena.

Pagani said supporting the Kurdish people will mean fighting against Erdoğan's dictatorship, adding that solidarity with the Kurdish people should be enhanced.

ZİEGLER: LONG LIVE KURDISH FREEDOM STRUGGLE AGAINST DICTATORS

The last speech in the rally was held by Jean Ziegler, UNHCR member, a prominent politician in Europe and close friend of Che Guevara, a leader of the Cuban revolution.

Ziegler remarked that fighting against Erdoğan would mean protecting the values of humanity, recalling the long history of the Kurdish people whom other forces have tried to eradicate for years.

Ziegler said the Kurdish people were now close to freedom more than ever against the policies of annihilation imposed on them, emphasising that acting against Erdoğan policies on Kurds and elected Kurdish representatives was a requirement of human values.

Defining Erdoğan as a power-hungry dictator, Ziegler pointed out that peoples of the world, the Federal Government of Switzerland, United Nations and the Council of Europe should show solidarity with the Kurdish people and fight against Erdoğan.

"International support and solidarity to the Kurdish people's struggle against dictators should be enhanced. Long live the Kurdish people's freedom struggle, long live the Kurdish people, long live the international solidarity with the Kurdish people", Ziegler added.

Following the speeches, demonstrators marched to the United Nations building, carrying a huge banner which read “Stop Erdoğan” and chanting "Murderer Erdoğan", "Free HDP deputies" and "International solidarity with the Kurdish people".

DEMANDS

Following the march, a short statement in front of the UN building highlighted the following demands of Swiss politicians and organisations;

- The Federal Council of Switzerland, the Council of Europe, United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe should take a clear stance against the political coup in Turkey.

- The Government of Switzerland should take a clear and effective stance against Turkey rather than making simple statements.

- The Federal Council of Switzerland should urge Turkey to release the unlawfully imprisoned HDP MPs, journalists, academics, NGO executives and mayors.

- The Federal Council of Switzerland should urgently demand Turkey to end the pressures against feminist women's associations.

- International Red Cross and the Council of Europe should visit the jailed politicians and observe their conditions.

- The Federal Council of Switzerland should urge Turkey to allow an independent examination by the UN in Northern Kurdistan.

- Switzerland should immediately suspend its relations with the MİT (Turkish intelligence agency). Human rights are not assured in Turkey for a long while and a resolution regarding the Kurdish people's future is sought through not political but military ways.

- Switzerland should stop arms sale to Turkey and cancel the production licences granted to Turkish companies.