In a written declaration the co-board of the largest Kurdish umbrella organization in the diaspora, KCDK-E, called for Europe-wide protests on 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The declaration said: "The self-organization of women against femicide, their equal representation in all areas of life and their legitimate self-defense must be placed under the protection of international law."

"Any form of violence against women is political"

The Kurdish Association wrote: “Violence and discourses that justify physical, sexual and psychological violence against women in society continue to be spread by both governments and men in general. Any form of violence against women is political."

"Fascist regimes promote violence against women"

The statement continued: “The oppression of women, rape, threats and femicide are promoted by the state. In this way the state closes its eyes, creates a climate of impunity and tries to block the way for women to achieve their rights by fear of assault and violence. The reactionary, fascist regimes do nothing against violence against women, in fact they encourage it."

With regard to Turkey, the umbrella organization said: “Dozens of women are murdered and raped in Turkey every day. Turkey is right at the top of the list of countries with the most domestic violence. Attempts are made to cover up the sexual assaults and rape in police custody. The military of the fascist regime also condones rape."

Rojava is the democratic initiative based on Öcalan’s model

The KCDK-E statement added: “We oppose to this patriarchal system of violence the liberation of women from Rojava. In Rojava a democratic and free life, in which the rights of women are guaranteed, is being built. The darkness of the Middle Ages, which is reflected in the cruelty of ISIS, has been defeated and Rojava, with its women-liberating life model, has become a source of hope for the whole world."

The KCDK-E also pointed out the fact that this democratic alternative goes back to the project and philosophy of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been in isolation in Imrali for 21 years.

80,000 women murdered in 2019

According to the United Nations, 80,000 women were killed by government and male violence in 2019, and more than a billion women cannot protect themselves against patriarchal violence.

In view of this, the KCDK-E demanded: "The self-organization of women against femicide, their equal representation in all areas of life and their legitimate self-defense must be placed under the protection of international law."