We defend Rojava – We defend humanity! Together, we will expand our struggles


Declaration of the Peoples’ Caravan to Defend Humanity and the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK)

With the call for general mobilization by the Democratic Self-Administration of North and East Syria on January 18, 2026, a new phase in the defense of the revolution began.

Aware that the revolution in Rojava faced an existential threat, hundreds of thousands of people around the world assumed responsibility for its defense. They defended not only the revolution in Rojava, but humanity, the hope for a democratic society, the liberation of women, and the possibility of a peaceful and ecological life.

Fueled by the spirit of resistance manifesting on the borders of Rojava, in the streets of Europe’s cities, in the trenches of Kobanê, and with a deep awareness of the history of internationalism, hundreds of thousands of people raised their voices in a united “NO PASARAN” – “There will be no passage for fascism!” With this slogan of internationalism from the Spanish Revolution, they stood alongside the people of Rojava. In this spirit, they joined the resistance and sought to tear down the borders between themselves and the city of Kobanê, itself a symbol of resistance and freedom.

Thus began the People’s Caravan. A caravan of solidarity and lived internationalism from Colombia, France, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovenia, Catalonia, England, Ireland, Kurdistan, Iran, Germany, and Austria, all the way to the city of Kobanê. A caravan of people: journalists, craftspeople, physiotherapists, paramedics, filmmakers, doctors, and farmers. Democrats, socialists, anarchists, communists, and feminists. Despite their differences, they were united by their will to defend a life of dignity. Thus, one hundred people from more than thirteen regions of the world joined together in a common call to defend the Rojava Revolution.

From the very first kilometer of its long journey, the caravan embodied the values ​​of the revolution. It was sustained by the strength of the women and their autonomous organization, their connection to society, and their ethics. It was sustained by the spontaneity of the youth and their mutual solidarity and shared hope. At every stop, hundreds gathered to welcome the caravan, families came together to feed it and bid it farewell as it continued its journey.

Thus, part of the caravan reached the Greek-Turkish border, where they made a powerful statement of resistance and solidarity. Another part reached the Kurdish city of Amed, where they joined forces with the youth of the DEM party in the resistance of the Kurdish people and embraced their internationalist responsibility. One more part of the caravan reached Istanbul, where they shared the grief, pain, and will to resist with the Peace Mothers.

But the Turkish state tried to block the caravan’s path to Kobanê. As early as January 28, 16 internationalists were stopped, arrested, mistreated, and deported by the Turkish police on their way from Amed to Merdîn.

In Istanbul, the caravan joined forces with the delegation of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress to continue their journey. On the evening of January 29, the caravan, together with the HDK and the DEM party, set off for Suruç, near the border crossing into besieged Kobanê, with a strong spirit of resistance and great solidarity. Their journey was accompanied by songs and slogans in various languages.

This action thwarted all attempts by the Turkish state to prevent us from reaching the city of Suruç. On January 30, the caravan was joyfully welcomed by the residents of the city. At a joint demonstration, the shared resistance and support for Kobanê were reaffirmed.

Like Kobanê, Suruç has also become a symbol. Eleven years ago, through the initiative of the socialist youth movement, Suruç became one of the strongest examples of revolutionary solidarity. Young people from all parts of Turkey had gathered at the Amara cultural center to cross the border to Kobane together in order to help with the reconstruction of the city. On July 20th, 2015, 33 of these comrades were killed in a bomb attack by the Islamic State. To this day their names are not forgotten and still stand for the sisterhood of the people.

Today, as the Peoples’ Caravan and the Peoples’ Democratic Congress, we share the honor of gathering in Suruç in the same dream and the same struggle of those 33 comrades. Together we have assumed the responsibility of supporting, defending, and expanding the revolution in Rojava. For this, we risk every form of attack. For the caravan this meant arrest, imprisonment, violence and torture, and ultimately, deportation. But this was not not unforseen, rather a risk all were willing to take; the caravan’s motto became: “We defend Rojava – until deportation.” The caravan had joined the internationalist call to accept none of the artificial borders and, in doing so, to establish solidarity with all who resist.

In this spirit, we became brothers and sisters to one another in less than a day. There was no “us” and “them”, no “I” and “you”, but only a shared voice of internationalism and the defense of humanity.

Yet the Turkish state could not accept the caravan’s presence. Nearly 30 more comrades were arrested and taken into deportation detention, where they were subjected to torture and mistreatment until they were deported to their home countries. But in every city to which they were deported, friends, comrades and families welcomed them with great enthusiasm. Thus, the spirit of resistance from Kobanê spread once again to every corner of Europe.

Even with the imprisonment of the caravan in Suruç, the Turkish state could not silence the voice of fraternity. The caravan is wherever people believe in the power of internationalism. Four other friends of the caravan, who had been supporting the resistance of the people in Amed against the attacks on Rojava for days, were arrested and deported in a police operation, an attempt to destroy the connection between peoples.

All 50 of our friends who crossed the border into Turkey in recent days to make their way to Kobanê and were arrested and deported, deserve our utmost respect and admiration. The attacks against them were directed against their lived internationalism – An internationalism that defends communitarian socialism against racism, sexism, nationalism, and militarism. An internationalism that defends the will of peoples for an equal and free coexistence.

In the spirit of this internationalism, we call upon all people worldwide: Strengthen your solidarity with all people fighting for freedom! Let us stand united against the attacks on the Rojava Revolution, as we close ranks in the defense of humanity!

We will continue to defend Rojava! Together, we will expand our struggles!

The Peoples’ Caravan to Defend Humanity and the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK)

Caravan to Defend Humanity: Europeans Tortured in Turkey Consider Legal Action Against Turkish Officials

Hanover – February 4, 2026

Last week, various groups travelled to the Kurdish region of Turkey as part of the ‘Caravan to Defend Humanity’. There, they wanted to express their solidarity with the resistance of the population of the besieged city of Kobane and report on the humanitarian situation in the region of the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria.

In recent days, 50 people associated with the Caravan have been arrested by Turkish police and deported from Turkey. Some of those are making serious allegations against Turkish officials. They report mistreatment during their detention, including beatings, kicks, and sexual violence, as well as forced strip searches.

“We were taken to solitary confinement cells and beaten for hours”, said Marlene Heldmann, a journalist and member of the youth delegation. They were also subjected to psychological torture, such as threats of execution. Some were left handcuffed on the floor for hours. They were denied access to a lawyer.

Now they are consulting with lawyers in Turkey from the “Association of Lawyers for Freedom” (ÖHD) and in their home countries to evaluate possible legal action against Turkish officials.

“Through imprisonment, violence, torture, and deportation, the Turkish state wanted to prevent us from expressing our solidarity with the people of Kobane and from reporting on the war against the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria. Every means is being used to prevent the public from forming its own opinion of the situation on the ground”, says Marlene Heldmann, a member of the youth delegation that participated in the Caravan.

“What we experienced is just a small glimpse into the everyday violence that the Kurdish population and the political opposition in Turkey are subjected to. For years, the Kurdish population and their struggle for a free and dignified life have been criminalised and violently suppressed”, says Zozan Ombor.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, another 96 people were arrested in Turkey in a coordinated police operation. Those affected include numerous individuals from trade unions, the press, and political organisations. Among them are journalists from the ETHA news agency, which had previously reported on the Caravan. Between January 1 and February 2, the ÖHD (“Association of Lawyers for Freedom”) documented more than 800 arrests, over 100 detentions, dozens of cases of physical violence, and numerous violations of children’s rights and the freedom of lawyers to practice their profession.

“These forms of violence and torture are widespread in Turkey. In particular, the demands for and efforts toward a democratic society are met with human rights violations and oppression. Therefore, the struggle for a dignified peace is an internationalist responsibility”, emphasises the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) in Turkey.

The Caravan also criticises European states for their support of the Turkish government and the Islamist regime in Damascus.

“How can it be that authoritarian and Islamist governments like those in Damascus and Ankara are tolerated and supported by European states such as Germany and France? We call on European governments to strongly condemn Turkey’s human rights violations, end their support for the Syrian regime, and instead politically recognise the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria”, emphasises Gesa Jonasson.

Members of the delegation are available for questions and interviews.

Press contact:

Caravan press contact: +31613048773

(Best reached via Signal, WhatsApp, and email)

About the ‘Caravan to Defend Humanity’

The ‘Caravan to Defend Humanity’ was formed in response to the escalating attacks on the Democratic Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, by many committed individuals in Europe. The participants of the Caravan share the goal of sending a strong message of solidarity with the resistance of the people in North and East Syria.

On January 23, 2026, more than one hundred people from over ten countries joined the Caravan on its journey to Kobane, travelling along various routes. Among them were journalists, farmers, craftspeople, members of a European network against femicide, and representatives of the Göttingen-Tirbespiyê (Syria) city partnership.

Some return, some depart

After 29 friends were arrested by Turkish police on Friday evening, they were all deported to Europe today by various means. A friend who was deported to Hanover reports mistreatment in prison: “Some of us could no longer walk,” she says. “But we will not stop fighting—for a free Kobanê, a free Rojava, and also a better life here in Germany. We will fight against German support for Turkey and the war in Syria, we will fight against arms deliveries.”

The youth delegation, which was arrested shortly before and deported to Germany on Friday, also reports psychological and physical abuse and sexualized violence in Turkish deportation detention. They had been arrested after participating in a demonstration in Nusaybin. Among them were several journalists who were reporting on the protests on site. In Bakur, the Kurdish part of Turkey, protests against the war in Syria and in solidarity with Rojava are organized daily. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested by Turkish police last week. The charges are mostly “membership in a criminal organization” or “propaganda for an illegal organization” and, in principle, “terrorism.” Numerous house searches are also taking place, during which houses are ransacked and mobile phone PINs are obtained through torture.

This is the daily reality of the Kurdish people in Turkey and their resistance against oppression.

Most of the participants in the “Peoples’ Caravan for the Defense of Humanity” are now back in Germany. Others are making their way to Rojava to draw attention to the dramatic situation there and to break through the ongoing siege of Kobane by the Islamist Syrian government and Turkey. The “Rojava Delegation for Humanity” with participants from Switzerland and Germany has arrived in Rojava. They are drawing particular attention to the situation in the health sector: the Aykûr Children’s Hospital, for example, is on the verge of collapse due to a dramatic shortage of fuel, food, and oxygen. It is feared that under these circumstances, healthcare for the population cannot be maintained for much longer.

A delegation of Kurdish artists and musicians has also made its way to Rojava to meet with civil institutions and connect with the local community. Resistance has many facets. Art and culture are also an important part of the Kurdish struggle for a free life.

Violence and torture against participants of the ‘Peoples’ Caravan – Caravan for the Defense of Humanity’ in Turkey

Istanbul / Hanover – 01.02.26

Last week, 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.

Now the participants of the delegation are exposing the Turkish officials for serious violations. According to statements, there was massive violence during the deportation process.

On Thursday evening, the group had already boarded a plane in Istanbul that was supposed to deport them to Germany. On the plane, they informed the other passengers about their deportation. As a result, the group was forcibly removed from the plane by Turkish officials at around 9:40 p.m. local time.

“Immediately after we were taken off the plane, officials began to handcuff us, repeatedly beat us, and threaten us. We were repeatedly taken to solitary confinement cells and beaten, sometimes for hours on end”, said Anna Müller.

Those affected also reported sexual assaults, humiliating treatment, and psychological torture by the officers. After their arrival in Germany, they had their injuries documented by a doctor.

Members of the delegation pointed out that the treatment they received was only the tip of the iceberg of human rights violations in Turkey.

“The officers reacted with extreme violence, especially to statements made in the Kurdish language and political statements in solidarity with democratic self-administration and the Kurds. The action shows that the systematic and institutional repression of the Kurds, as well as the democratic opposition and the press, continues to be an everyday reality in Turkey”, said Lynn Bojang.

While the members of the delegation have now returned to Germany, another 29 members of the “Peoples’ Caravan – Caravan for the Defense of Humanity” were arrested in Turkey on Friday evening. In this case, too, there are fears of massive violence and torture against those affected. The group is currently detained and awaiting deportation in Istanbul.

Members of the delegation are available for questions and interviews.

At the border to Kobanê

Sometimes you have to take invisible paths to get where you want to arrive. While part of the caravan was held up at the Turkish border, another part disappeared for a while, only to reappear in Suruç, Bakur. Suruç is 7 kilometers from the Syrian border, 7 kilometers from the still-besieged city of Kobanê. The humanitarian situation there continues to worsen. Supplies are scarce and temperatures are low. During the so-called ceasefire, which is repeatedly broken by the Syrian army, the Turkish state is currently deploying tanks and artillery to the border with Kobanê.

That is precisely why we made us on the way to Kobanê – to break the siege, to show solidarity and to defend the city of hope. The city that has already defeated IS once and was celebrated worldwide for it.

When we arrived in Suruç, we were welcomed by the local population and the DEM party with flowers, food, and hugs. We held a press conference, which was also broadcasted live on Kurdish television.

In the conference, we criticized the international community for not taking a strong enough stance on the attacks against the Kurdish population and the Democratic Self-Administration. On the contrary, there is open cooperation with the so-called transitional government and the Islamist ruler al-sharaa. This cooperation must be stopped immediately.

When we left Suruç by bus after participating in a demonstration, we were stopped and arrested by the Turkish police. They took us to Urfa in police buses. From there, we are supposed to continue on to Istanbul. It is unclear how long we will remain in deportation custody.

Despite the arrests, we did not allow ourselves to be intimidated and remained determined. We sang Kurdish songs loudly inside the police buses, so loudly that the bus driver turned on Turkish nationalist songs to drown us out. No chance. “I would die for you, Turkey,” said one of the songs. Our songs testified to life and to our common resistance. We will continue to sing, continue to fight.

Arrest of the Caravan after Protests at the Turkish-Syrian Border – Several Germans among the Arrested

Arrest of the Caravan after Protests at the Turkish-Syrian Border – Several Germans among the Arrested

Istanbul/Hanover, January 31, 2026 – On Friday, the Caravan for the Protection of Humanity issued a statement of solidarity in the city of Pirsus/Suruç, near the Turkish-Syrian border, with the people of the besieged city of Kobanê. In the statement, it criticized the international community for supporting the Islamist interim government in Damascus and called for immediate assistance for the people in northern and eastern Syria/Rojava.

After participating in a large demonstration in Pirsus and issuing the press statement, the caravan was arrested by Turkish police in the early evening hours. A total of 29 participants of various European nationalities were arrested, including individuals from Ireland, France, England, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Among them were journalists, farmers, artisans, members of a European network against femicide, and representatives of the city partnership between Göttingen and Tirbespiyê (Syria).

At around 7 PM local time, the police stopped the caravan near Pirsus/Suruç. The official reason for the arrests is currently unavailable. The caravan members were taken by police buses to the city of Riha/Urfa. According to field reports, they were to be transferred to Istanbul and deported from Turkey.

“This is the last video from the police vehicle on the way to the deportation prison. We call on everyone to take to the streets to end the siege of Kobanê and the massacres. We want everyone to see Turkey’s involvement in this war against the Kurdish population. Let everyone raise their voice for Rojava,” said Anna Ellenberger in front of the camera in the final moments before her arrest.

As early as January 29, Turkish police arrested a group of 19 caravan members near Mêrdîn/Mardin on their way to Kobanê and deported them to Germany on January 30. Caravan participants accuse the Turkish police of serious violations, speaking of violence and torture in the deportation prison.

German Bundestag member Kassem Taher Saleh also issued a statement expressing support for the caravan.

“I call on Turkey to allow this humanitarian action and let the caravan pass. I also urge the Federal Republic of Germany to no longer turn a blind eye to the serious human rights violations committed by Islamist militias under the leadership of Al-Sharaa in northeastern Syria – and to the role played by regional actors in this,” wrote Kassem Taher Saleh.

Repression against peace activists in Turkey is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, hundreds of people have been arrested in Turkey during demonstrations in solidarity with the people of northeastern Syria. On Saturday alone, January 24, 2026, according to the “Association of Free Lawyers” (ÖHD), 95 people were detained in Istanbul during a demonstration against the siege of Kobanê. Among them was the local chairman of the DEM party, Çınar Altan.

Media Contact:

Press team of the European Caravan: +31 6130 48773

About the “Caravan for the Protection of Humanity”

The “Caravan for the Protection of Humanity” was formed in response to increasing attacks on democratic self-government in northern and eastern Syria, also known as Rojava, by many committed people across Europe. The participants of the caravan share the goal of expressing strong solidarity with the resistance of the people in northern and eastern Syria. In recent days, more than a hundred people from over ten countries have joined the caravan. It is approaching the Turkish-Syrian border via various routes, where the besieged city of Kobanê is located.

Caravan in defence of humanity reaches Pirsûs/Suruç – Press statement at the border to Kobanê

Pirsûs/Suruç / Turkey, 30 January 2026

In order to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Kobanê, and the Syrian army’s war on the region of the democratic self-administration in Syria (NES), a convoy made up of people from across the world have travelled together to stand in solidarity with the people of the beseiged city and region. Shortly before 3 p.m. local time today, approximately 30 participants in the “Caravan in Defence of Humanity” issued a press statement in the city of Pirsûs/Suruç. The city is located just a few kilometres from the Turkish-Syrian border, directly opposite the besieged and attacked city of Kobanê. The statement was made in connection with a large demonstration that took place.

“I joined the Caravan from France. Now I am glad that we have reached the Syrian border after a long journey. This is the right place to express our solidarity with the people of Kobanê and to support peaceful coexistence among people. We stand in solidarity with the people who have been suffering attacks from Islamist groups and the Turkish army for many years,” emphasises Elsa, speaking directly from Pirsûs/Suruç.

The Caravan was welcomed by the DEM Party/Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party.

“For years, the people have resisted the attacks of the Islamic State and finally defeated it. Now, the Kurds are once again being abandoned by the international community. Today, Kurds around the world are rising up against these attacks and are supported by their international friends. We thank you for the international solidarity with Rojava and the Kurdish people and welcome you to Suruç,” said Ayşe Sürücü, co-chair of the DEM party in the Urfa region, which includes the city of Pirsûs/Suruç.

Just this morning, new information emerged regarding negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government. Members of the Caravan are cautious about the implementation of any agreements by the Transitional Government in Damascus. They will continue to support the people on the ground, regardless of political developments.

“We don’t trust any of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s words. We have repeatedly had hopes for peace in recent days. The ceasefires have been broken time and again by Islamist groups, and the massacres and displacements have continued. Therefore, we continue to demand political recognition of the democratic self-administration by the international community and a clear stance against the Islamist transitional government in Damascus. We also continue to call for humanitarian aid,” emphasized Ruken Doğan from Denmark on the sidelines of the press conference in Pirsûs/Suruç.

Press Contact:

Spokespeople and participants of the Caravan are available to the press for inquiries and interviews regarding the seduction. For specific information from Pirsûs/Suruç: Ruken Doğan: +45 276 09072 Caravan Spokesperson: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Rejected at the Turkish border

Yesterday morning, we set off for the Turkish border—with flying flags and morale high. It turned out pretty much as we had expected: the border officials took our passports, made us wait, and finally turned us away. It comes as no suprise that the turkish state does not want to let us in, as with our campain we draw attention to the war in which turkey is closely involved.


At the same time, we received news from Bakur, the Kurdish part of Turkey, that a delegation of democratic youth organizations, which was also traveling as part of the Peoples Caravan, had been arrested. The friends, including several journalists, were on their way back by bus from the border town of Nusaybin, where they had accompanied the protests and documented the actions of the Turkish state. They were taken into custody pending deportation. This shows once again that the Turkish state wants to suppress critical voices and prevent media coverage.

In Turkey, hundreds of people have been arrested on the streets in recent days, mostly with reference to the restrictive assembly law and “terrorist propaganda.” In northwestern Turkey, a nurse was reportedly arrested for posting a video online in which she braided her hair as part of a protest campaign. Braiding the resistance. Resistance can take many forms.

After our protest at the Turkish border, we returned to Thessaloniki to gather our strength and get an overview of the situation. There is always a lot of organizational work to be done, a lot of media work, a lot of meetings. Even though we have now been stopped, we encourage everyone to become part of the caravan to Kobanê. The caravan is not just us. The caravan is all the people who want to defend Rojava in various ways. All the people who want to raise awareness on the situation, support the local population, provide humanitarian aid, and defend democratic values. Bijî Berxwedana Rojava!

Arrests in Turkey and Protests at the Greek-Turkish Border – The Caravan for the Defense of Humanity Continues

Thessaloniki/Ankara, January 29, 2026

To draw attention to the humanitarian situation and the war in Syria, members of the “Caravan for the Defense of Humanity” protested yesterday at the Greek-Turkish border. At the same time, members of the Caravan who were travelling from the Kurdish city of Amed (Turkish: Diyarbakir) toward the Syrian border, were detained by Turkish police.

“I travelled from Germany to the Greek-Turkish border to make it clear that Europe also bears responsibility for what is happening in Syria. It is a scandal that the German government remains silent while the Turkish military wages war in Syria in violation of international law. Now, more than ever, it must use its diplomatic relations to press for an end to the violence and an end to the attacks on the territories of the Autonomous Administration”, says Lea Bunse, who protested at the Greek-Turkish border yesterday and was herself injured in a Turkish drone strike a year ago.

At the same time another part of the Caravan, which was already in Turkey, was arrested by Turkish police. The whereabouts of the 16 detainees, among them many young people and several female journalists, are currently unknown. It is unclear whether and when they will be deported to their home countries. At the time of their arrest, they were travelling from Amed to Mardin, from where they intended to continue on to the border to Kobane.

“We will not be intimidated by this repression. The Turkish state’s stance is nothing new: time and again it sides with Islamists, restricts democratic rights, and refuses humanitarian aid”, says Livia Selmi, who joined the protest from Italy.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the city of Kobane and throughout the entire region of DAANES (Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria) continues to worsen. Basic supplies are desperately lacking, as evidenced by news reports coming out of the city in recent days. Despite the agreed-upon ceasefire, military attacks by Islamist militias and Turkey continue.

“I travelled from Hanover to stand in solidarity with the people of Kobane. The situation in the city is catastrophic: bread, water, electricity, and medicine are almost entirely unavailable. At the same time, Islamist militias, who have already committed massacres of civilians elsewhere, are attacking alongside the Turkish military”, emphasises Gesa Jonasson.

Press contact:

Spokespeople and participants of the Caravan remain available to the press for inquiries and interviews.

Caravan spokesperson: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Caravan participant Lea Bunse: +49 176 14863535

Additional spokespeople for different languages can be reached via the general press team contact number: +31 613 048 773

Karavana za zaščito človeštva se pripravlja na prehod v Turčijo

Solun, 28. januar 2026 – S karavano za zaščito človeštva več kot sto ljudi iz več kot desetih evropskih držav izraža solidarnost s prebivalstvom Demokratične avtonomne uprave severne in vzhodne Sirije (DAANES). Že več tednov je regija pod napadom islamistične prehodne vlade v Damasku, ki jo podpira turška vojska.

Karavana, ki potuje po več poteh po Evropi, je zdaj prispela v Solun. Danes udeleženci načrtujejo vstop v Turčijo in nadaljevanje poti do sirsko-turške meje v bližini mesta Kobane. Tam nameravajo podpreti lokalno prebivalstvo v uporu proti nadaljevanju obleganja in opozoriti na hudo humanitarno situacijo na terenu.

„Stojimo ob strani prebivalcem Severne in Vzhodne Sirije in podpiramo njihova prizadevanja za demokracijo, mir in svobodo. Ne smemo dopustiti, da bi ponovno živeli pod grožnjo islamistične vladavine. Braniti Rožavo pomeni braniti temeljne človeške vrednote,« je dejala Ségolène Ogier, udeleženka iz Francije.

Med leti državljanske vojne v Siriji je Demokratična avtonomna uprava severne in vzhodne Sirije (DAANES), znana tudi kot Rožava, razvila demokratični model upravljanja, ki temelji na enakosti spolov, lokalnih svetih in ekološko usmerjeni ekonomiji. 

Ta sistem je omogočil mirno sobivanje različnih etničnih in verskih skupnosti, vključno s Kurdi, Arabci, Asirci, kristjani in druzi.

Mesto Kobane, ki ga zdaj oblegajo sile sirske prehodnega vlade, je leta 2014 postalo mednarodni simbol upora proti tako imenovani Islamski državi (ISIS, kurdsko: Daeš). Z napori lokalnega prebivalstva in Sirskih demokratičnih sil (SDF) je bilo mesto uspešno branjeno, Daeš je bil potisnjen nazaj in leta 2017 končno vojaško poražen.

„Ljudje, ki so pomagali osvoboditi svet ISIS-a – skupine, ki je terorizirala tudi Evropo – so ponovno zapuščeni s strani mednarodne skupnosti,“ je dejala Gesa Jonasson, ena od predstavnic Karavane.

Udeleženci kritizirajo pomanjkanje jasnega stališča evropskih vlad do oblasti v Damasku in pozivajo k političnemu priznanju Demokratične avtonomne uprave. Namesto da bi obsodila dokumentirane vojne zločine, ki jih je zagrešila sirijska prehodna vlada, je Evropa samooklicanega sirskega predsednika al Šaro sprejela kot državnega gosta.

Nenehni vojaški napadi, katastrofalne humanitarne razmere in prisilno razseljevanje civilistov s strani sirske vojske, ki jo podpira Turčija, vse bolj destabilizirajo regijo. Hkrati pa predstavljajo vse večje varnostno tveganje tudi za Evropo. Zaradi napadov je iz zaporov v Severni in Vzhodni Siriji pobegnilo že več sto zapornikov Daeš, kar vzbuja resne skrbi glede morebitnega ponovnega pojava te skupine.

Stiki za medije:

Tiskovna predstavnica karavane: Gesa Jonasson +49 163 1439287

Tiskovna ekipa za evropsko karavano: +31 6130 48773 

O „Karavani za zaščito človeštva“

Karavana za zaščito človeštva je samoorganizirani evropski odziv na vojno proti Demokratični avtonomni upravi Severne in Vzhodne Sirije, znani tudi kot Rožava. Udeležence Karavane združuje jasen cilj – poslati močno sporočilo solidarnosti z odporom prebivalcev Severne in Vzhodne Sirije. Karavana potuje po različnih poteh proti turško-sirski meji in obleganemu mestu Kobane.