DEM Party condemns the sexual assault against internationalist women in Turkey

In January, a delegation of several youth organisations – including journalists – as well as other human rights/peace activists travelled to the Kurdish areas in Turkey. Their goal was to observe the protests against the military escalation in Syria and bring them into the public eye. The delegation was on its way to the Turkish-Syrian border as part of the ‘Peoples’ Caravan – Caravan for the Defense of Humanity’. There they wanted to express their solidarity with the people in the city of Kobane. On Wednesday, however, the group was arrested by the police, this was also reported on by German media.

The participants of the delegation then exposed the Turkish officials for serious violations. According to statements, there was massive violence during the deportation process.

The Women’s Assembly of the DEM Party (Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party) released a statement condemning the sexual violence and attempted rape against internationalist activists.

The statement, titled “We will definitely hold accountable those responsible for the attack on our international women’s struggle!” said the following:

“The Peoples’ Caravan aims to broaden international solidarity among peoples and women, strengthen the joint struggle against violence towards women, and build solidarity with the women’s struggle in Rojava.

The detention of women activists from the Peoples’ Caravan on January 30, along with the sexual violence they endured in the deportation centers where they were held, have once again shown that state-controlled facilities in Turkey constitute sites of violence and crime against women.

The sexual violence and attempted rape committed against Peoples’ Caravan activist Alma and her comrades amount to an endorsement of the crimes committed against women by HTS gangs in Rojava. This is an attack on international solidarity with Kurdish people and women. It is further evidence of anti-Kurdish hostility and misogyny.

This crime committed against the women activists of the Peoples’ Caravan is a crime committed against all women. Let the perpetrators of this crime, and the authorities who remain silent in the face of it, know that:

We will pursue this matter relentlessly. We will take every possible step to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

We will definitely hold accountable those responsible for this attack on our international women’s struggle!”