Kurds and their friends staged a demonstration in Stockholm, capital of Sweden to remember Sakine Cansiz (Sara), Fidan Dogan (Rojbin) and Leyla Şaylemez (Ronahi) who were killed by the Turkish state intelligence in Paris, France on 9 December 2013, and Sêvê Demir, Fatma Uyar and Pakîze Nayir who were massacred by Turkish state forces in Silopi, Şırnak on 5 January 2016.

After gathering at the Humlegården Park in the early afternoon, the crowd staged a march to the Kungsträdgården Park to protest against the Turkish state for the murder of Kurdish women, and the French state that casts a shadow on the triple murder.

Speakers on behalf of Sara Women’s Union and Women’s Peace Initiative reiterated their call to the French state to shed light on the killings as it would otherwise be an accomplice as what was indicated by its silence.

Left Party Councilor of Gävle City Council, Jin Hajo Akgül stressed that the Sakine, Fidan and Leyla were massacred by the Turkish state because of their struggle for women and Kurdish people.

Remarking that the Turkish state targets the women who advocate for feminism and the Kurdish people, Akgül said; “We shouldn’t forget that the women’s struggle against capitalism and the patriarchal system is an international one. Women’s engagement in politics is as dangerous as it is vital. For this reason, we must strengthen the solidarity with our sisters who raise their voices against fascism and repression.”

Akgül pointed out that women leading the building of a just system in Rojava proves that another world is indeed possible. She also called for support for the struggle of the Rojava people who are resisting the Turkish invasion.

Speaking to ANF, Swedish and Kurdish women joining the demo reiterated their call for those responsible for Paris killings to be brought to trial.

Johanna Suh, who joined the demonstration with a banner reading “Jin jiyan azadi” (woman, life, freedom) evaluated the triple murder as a threat against all women. “As a feminist, I protest the pressures against women”.

Skatta Ericsson stressed that the murder of Sakine, Fidan and Leyla shouldn’t be forgotten, saying; “The Turkish state has perpetrated a terrifying massacre in Europe. It murdered Kurdish freedom fighters. Our task is to keep the memories of martyrs alive and to make sure that the Turkish massacre is not forgotten.”

Moderat (Conservative) Party Councilor Makbule Çolak emphasised that the Turkish state sought to intimidate the Kurdish women by killing Sakine, Fidan and Leyla in Paris. They tried to break our will and deter us but they will never succeed as we continue our struggle in an even more determined manner.”