KON-MED co-chairs Ruken Akça and Kerem Gök condemned the racist attack suffered by Die Linke member of the Federal Parliament, Gökay Akbulut, while traveling by high-speed train from Heidelberg to Stuttgart. The co-chairs said: "We strongly condemn the attack on Left Party Bundestag member Gökay Akbulut and wish her a speedy recovery.

Akbulut is the voice of marginalized communities in Germany and has been a key actor in human rights, migrant and especially Kurdish issues. As a defender of individuals whose rights are violated, she has always resolutely continued to struggle for them. Unfortunately, this time she has been targeted by a far-right attack confronting her shouting pro-AfD slogans." The KON-MED co-chairs continued: "This attack is not only another indicator of the rise of the far-right, but also a clear expression of misogyny."

The statement also stated that politically active women, especially those with a migrant background, have become a special target of hatred, violence and discrimination, and added: "It is a frightening reality that misogynist ideologies and far-right ideas go hand in hand."

The rise of the far-right in Germany is being underestimated

KON-MED criticized the inadequate response to the rise of the far-right in Germany in its statement, saying that "the rise of the far-right is still an underestimated danger. Instead of uniting, democratic parties are increasing this threat by adopting right-wing discourses. As a result, the AfD has become the second-strongest party in the Bundestag. This is unacceptable. We must resolutely fight together against the normalization of hatred and violence."

Let's strengthen democracy together

KON-MED said that urgent action must be taken against the rise of the far-right, drawing attention to the importance of protecting and strengthening democracy, and added: "We must defend and strengthen democracy together. This means an active fight not only against the far-right, but also against misogyny, which undermines the fundamental values ​​of our society."

Background

Bundestag member Gökay Akbulut (Die Linke -The Left) said she was the victim of a racist and sexual assault on a train journey. The politician said that she was on a train from Heidelberg to Stuttgart on Saturday, which was apparently full of football fans, apparently from VfB Stuttgart. The men repeatedly harassed her and insulted her in racist terms, and one group loudly shouted AfD slogans.

As she was photographing and filming the harassment, a man threw a beer bottle at her head. Akbulut said she was "in shock", got out quickly at Stuttgart station and called the police. Her injuries, which were treated in hospital, were not serious, said the politician of Kurdish origin.