International reactions continue to mount against the occupation attacks targeting Rojava, carried out by mercenaries affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the ISIS under the authority of the Damascus government and with the backing of the Turkish state.
Fabian Molina, a member of the Swiss Federal Parliament and the Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke to ANF and said that the occupation attacks on Rojava constitute a grave assault not only on the Kurds, but also on democracy, human rights, and international law.
Molina said that the Kurds’ struggle against the barbarism of ISIS must not be forgotten and added: “Rojava is a place of hope in a region under the pressure of war and authoritarianism. Immediate action must be taken to protect it.”
An attack on democracy and human rights
Fabian Molina said the occupation attacks are being carried out with the backing of the Turkish state and that their primary aim is to dismantle the system in Rojava. Molina said: “These attacks, supported by the Syrian government and also by Turkey, are absolutely unacceptable. They endanger not only the lives of thousands of people, but also the functioning and very existence of a region that stands as a symbol of democracy, fundamental rights, and minority rights. It is of utmost importance that the entire international community demand that Syria, and likewise the Turkish government, respect international humanitarian law and put an end to these attacks against the Kurds and other minorities. There is no justification for attempting to resolve the tensions in Syrian politics through military means.”
A major threat to Europe as well
Molina said the attacks on Rojava also pose a serious threat to Europe, referring to the Kurds’ struggle against ISIS.
Molina said: “The Kurds saved the world from the barbarism of ISIS. They sacrificed thousands of lives and showed great courage in their fight against this brutality. Now, before the eyes of the world and all humanity, we are witnessing how the United States has betrayed the Kurds. I find this truly unbearable from the standpoint of the conscience of humanity. The attacks on the region and the release of jihadists represent a major danger for European states. We must not forget that thousands of detained jihadist terrorists are originally citizens of European countries. It is therefore highly likely that those who are released will continue their attacks against European democracies.
They will also continue to destabilize the region. The release of these terrorists constitutes a grave threat to all humanity. For this reason, it is essential that Europe and the entire international community take initiatives with the Turkish and Syrian governments to secure a reliable and immediately enforceable ceasefire and to return to the agreement reached in March last year. Following this, pressure must be applied to launch a political process.”
Ties do not turn jihadists into statesmen
Fabian Molina said attempts to legitimize the head of the Damascus Interim Government, Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), on the international stage are absolutely unacceptable.
Molina said: “This is precisely the core problem for the Kurds. They fought against ISIS and defeated it. Now, those same terrorists are being presented for legitimation. A jihadist does not become a great statesman simply by putting on a tie. Do we not see that this new regime in Damascus poses a threat to human rights, democracy, and the stability of the region? I believe it is now essential to be fully aware of whom we are engaging with.
It is of crucial importance for the international community to exert pressure to ensure respect for human rights and the protection of minority rights in Syria, and to promote a political process that includes all forces as well as ethnic, religious, and political minorities. Only through such an inclusive political process can Syria finally become a country at peace.”
Rojava is a place of hope and action is needed
Molina said that Rojava stands as a symbol of hope in a region under the pressure of war and authoritarianism, calling on the international community to act immediately against the occupation attacks.
Molina also said: “Rojava is a place of hope in a region under the pressure of war and authoritarianism. It is proof that the protection of minorities, the defense of women’s rights, and governance through a federalist and democratic system are possible in the Middle East. For this reason, it is also a place of vital importance for the stability of the entire region.
I believe it is vital for Rojava to survive and to receive the support of the international community. I hope that the international community and European governments will awaken, and that the Kurds will have the courage and strength to continue their struggle to defend Rojava.”