Socialist Party of Switzerland (SP), the Greens and the Ensemble à Gauche (Left Union) MPs issued a joint statement after the press conference they held recently to draw attention to the hunger strikes. National Parliament MP from the Socialist Party Carlo Sommaruga, Geneva Canton MP from the SP Caroline Marti, Jean Burgermeister from the Left Union and Jean Rassiaud from the Greens issued a joint statement in the name of their parties and called on the Switzerland Federal Council, Geneva Canton Government and the international community to take action against Turkey regarding the hunger strikes.

“TAKE A CLEAR STAND AGAINST TURKEY”

The statement pointed to the hunger strikes by HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Guven and political prisoners and that they are at a critical stage, then continued: “Thousands of people are on hunger strikes today demanding political prisoners be released and the isolation imposed upon Ocalan be ended. One of the fundamental goals of these hunger strikes is to get Turkey back at a true peace table. Considering the critical stage, the Switzerland Federal Council and Geneva Canton Government should take a clear stand against Turkey to uphold fundamental human rights at this point.”

“KEPT UNDER SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE”

The statement said the Kurdish people have been kept under systemic oppression and violence in the 4 countries the 4 parts are in: “We saw this very violence in the Turkish state’s invasion of Afrin. The Erdogan regime continues its authoritarian characteristic. Every day, police and military violence spreads in Kurdistan. There is great pressure against the HDP. Selahattin Demirtas and thousands of Kurdish politicians are in prison currently. Unfortunately this is happening as we watch.”

“INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN’T REMAIN SILENT”

“As the Kurdish people face these systemic attacks, the international community as the defenders of fundamental human rights and democracy can’t remain silent,” said the statement and continued: “There is an urgent need for unity and action regarding the Kurdish people’s right to self determination and the release of political prisoners. The Geneva Canton government has a great duty on its shoulders as per its commitment to human rights. Unfortunately, the Canton government has avoided fulfilling this duty to date.”

The statement also mentioned Mehmet Ali Kocak’s hunger strike in the Geneva Kurdish Society Center and stressed that Kocak should be permitted to continue his protest in front of the United Nations Geneva Headquarters.

The statement also said the MPs will take the matter to the parliamentary sessions as well, and concluded with a call for the Switzerland Federal Council and Geneva Canton government to take urgent action against Turkey, considering the critical stage the hunger strikes have reached.