A vigil by the Democratic Kurdish Community in Switzerland has been taking place in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva since 25 January 2021. Every Wednesday, activists stage a protest in front of the United Nations building to demand the release of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. The action is carried out as part of the 'Dem dema azadiye' [Time for Freedom] campaign and directed against the isolation of the Kurdish leader on the Turkish prison island of Imrali, the Turkish occupation attacks on Kurdistan, the massacres committed in Kurdish territories and the silence of the UN.

This week's demonstration, which is held at a tent set up in Nations Square where the UN Office is located, was undertaken by members of the Kurdish Women’s Union in Switzerland (YJK-S).

The protest against the attacks on North and East Syria started with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the Rojava revolution.

Speaking after, YJK-S Spokesperson Selma Sürer referred to the ongoing talks at the UN within the scope of Human Rights Week. Sürer said that while Kurdish lands, Kurdish women and Kurdish children are under attack by gangs supported by Turkey, the world is silent.

“What is your response to the massacre of Kurdish women and Kurdish children, as those who claim to be human rights defenders?” asked Selma Sürer and continued: “Kurdish women who fight and shield their bodies are not alone. Why are you silent when it comes to the Kurdish people and the Middle Eastern lands?”

Pointing to the Russia-Ukraine war, Selma Sürer stated that the international powers are acting hypocritically: “Leader Apo's philosophy is the only way to salvation for the peoples of the Middle East under attack. With this determination, we will be a bulwark for the women fighting in Rojava.”

Activist Antina Martin, who read the press text in French, called on the international community, especially the UN, to recognise the autonomy of North and East Syria for the building of a democratic Syria.

Halima Delimi, Secretary of the Swiss Socialist Party (SP), said that the imperialist sovereign powers remain silent on the occupation in North and East Syria under the threat of Erdoğan sending jihadist gangs to Europe and emphasised that they salute and support the resistance in Rojava.

On behalf of the Internationalist Serhildan Network, activist Anne Cloude said that they will defend the Rojava Revolution at all costs.

Dilan Çetinkaya, Co-Chair of the Democratic Kurdish Council of Switzerland (CDK-S), also saluted the resistance of Rojava women and condemned attempts to subject the people of Rojava to massacres once again. “The civilian population, especially women and children, are forced to migrate under severe winter conditions, and women and children are again experiencing the most brutal form of war. The Rojava Women's Revolution has been targeted by the latest attacks. It is the primary duty of the UN to find a negotiated solution to these attacks as soon as possible. Listen to the voice of Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). A geography where Kurds are ignored and massacred will be your nightmare. As Kurdish women, we will never give up on the Rojava Revolution.”