7 February 2023
Turkish civil society organisations in Switzerland condemned a banner targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a demonstration held in the capital, Bern.
The Turkish Community of Switzerland (İTT), the World Turkish Business Council (DTİK), the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD), the Turkish Diyanet Foundation of Switzerland (İTDV), the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD), the Switzerland branch of the Turkish Beyazay Association and the Turkish Swiss Travel Agencies (TİSAB) issued a joint statement.
The statement said:
“The display in the rally area of banners bearing the symbols and emblems of the terrorist organisation, together with pictures of its ringleader, has deeply and irreparably distressed the Turkish community living in Switzerland. It has been perceived as a source of shame for Switzerland, where we live. We have always taken pride in Switzerland, the country we live in, in every setting. We have adopted and promoted the values of democracy, human rights and support for dialogue against violence. The failure of the Swiss authorities to prevent this rhetoric, which encourages violence, has caused fear and anxiety in the Turkish community. It is plainly evident that demonstrations of this kind by the PKK terrorist organisation no longer bear the character of a ‘peaceful demonstration'. Regarding this scandalous incident, which took place before the eyes of the whole world, our expectation from the Swiss authorities is that such criminal acts be identified, that the legal requirements be fulfilled, that those responsible be brought before justice and given the punishment they deserve. Furthermore, as the Turkish community we wish to see the necessary measures taken so that this and similar incidents are not repeated in future.”