The so called December massacres (Maraş, Roboski, 19 December attacks on prisoners on death fast) was commemorated in Basel. After the commemoration, a panel was organized.

Asiye Güden (who was on death fast in prison in 2000), researcher-writer Aziz Tunç and Kurdish politician Nejdet Atalay joined the panel moderated by Ali Bulut, representative of the Swiss Democratic Forces Union.

The opening speech underlined that these massacres were carried out by the Turkish state in order to protect its fascist system.

Tunç: Kurds and Alevi targeted

Aziz Tunç spoke about the Maras massacre and reminded that this state-supported massacre r specifically targeted the Alevi community.

Güden: 19 December 2000 continues

Asiye Güden was on death fast in the year 2000. Thousands were on death fast in prison until, on 19 December, the state attacked prisoners. Güden said that the torture and attacks continue in  prisons today and drew attention to the isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Atalay: Massacres continue

Nejdet Atalay said: "The Turkish state, which has a history stained by barbarism, massacres and torture, continues with the same barbarism today without slowing down. The policies of extermination and captivity against the Kurdish nation and its politicians, the occupation against North East Syria and the massacres it imposed on the people in Rojava are under everyone's eyes."