A protest demo was held in front of the Turkish Embassy in South African capital Pretoria by friends of Kurdistan.

“Peace March For Democracy Against Imperialist Wars” was organized by South African Peace Initiative (SAPI). People carried PKK and KCK flags in the march to the protest grounds.

During the protest demo which was attended by South African political parties, youth organisations and union representatives, the Communist Party Youth Union National Secretary, South Africa-Kurdistan Solidarity Group, South Africa KCK Representative, Swaziland-Kurdistan Solidarity Group, NEHAWU (National Education and Health Workers Union) and PUDEMO Representatives gave speeches. World Federation of Workers Unions (WFTU) South Africa Representative and Zimbabwia Communist League South Africa Representatives were also present in the protest.

'THE OPPRESSED WILL PREVAIL WITH A COMMON STRUGGLE'

AKP’s negative position in the Middle East was pointed out in the speeches and the speakers expressed their solidarity with the Kurds.

In his speech, the KCK representative mentioned the genocidal attacks in Northern Kurdistan and the aggravated isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, pointing out that the oppressed will certainly prevail with a common struggle. The prepared memorandum was read in the protest and demands for the acceptance of the Kurds’ right to self government and the release of Öcalan and all political prisoners were stated.

'ERDOĞAN/AKP COMMIT WAR CRIMES'

The SAPI declaration stated that the Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and the AKP are committing war crimes and collaborating with terrorist groups. The declaration included a solidarity message for the Kurdish people.

The statement also pointed out that the Swazi regime in Swaziland is an authoritarian regime and was backed by the 1973 Royal Decree, and that political parties were still banned after 43 years.