Swiss politicians urge Turkey to leave Afrin

A group of Swiss politicians condemned Turkish invasion of Afrin and urged the Turkish state to leave Afrin.

Politicians from the Socialist Party of Switzerland, Greens, Zurich Canton MPs from Alternative List and Zurich Municipal Council members made a statement condemning Turkish invasion of Afrin and urging international powers to act against the Turkish state. Human rights organizations also supported the politicians in their demands.

Maya Hess, who spoke on behalf of Zurich-Amed Brotherhood Bridge started by wishing a happy Newroz to the people of Kurdistan. Stressing that Turkish invasion of Afrin together with gang groups is unacceptable, Hess called on Switzerland to act against the Turkish state. Remarking that the Turkish state’s treatment of civilians in Afrin is a violation of international humanitarian law, Hess said; “The Turkish state must leave Afrin immediately.”

Hess’ speech was followed by a joint statement on behalf of politicians, which protested the invasion of Afrin by the Turkish state and allied gangs and called on international powers to act against the Turkish state.

“The Turkish state has invaded Afrin in violation of international laws”, said the statement and underlined that Swiss politicians will never accept and will always struggle against this invasion.

Urging the Swiss government to stop arms sale to Turkey, the statement stressed that Switzerland must act and send humanitarian aid to the civilians in Afrin. The statement also put emphasis on the need to enhance solidarity with the Kurdish people.

Speaking after, Zurich Canton MP Andreas Kirschen, Muammer Kurtulmuş of the Greens and Gabriella Rotenfluh of the Socialist Party strongly condemned the invasion of Afrin and called for international action for Afrin.