Condemn EU Crackdown vs. Turkish Activists

The International Migrants Alliance (IMA), the largest global coalition of grassroots migrant organizations all over the world, condemns the simultaneous, Gestapo-style crackdown on Turkish activists by governments in four European countries.On April 20, police raids were done simultaneously in Germany (7 arrested), Greece (3 arrested), France (1 arrested), and Switzerland (1 arrested), or a total of 12 people. These unlawful searches, arrests and detentions were done against officers and members of the Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe (ATİK), New Women and New Democratic Youth, which are strongly critical of the Turkish government and its anti-Kurdish policies.We are gravely concerned over violations of their civil and human rights, especially as laid down in the European Charter on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws. It is very disconcerting that the raids were also committed by the German and Swiss governments, both of which profess to lead the whole EU in protecting and safeguarding human rights in the continent.That the raids came amidst a resurgence in support for anti-migrant and far-right movements in Europe adds to the alarming scenario of growing fascism against migrants and foreign dissidents by EU states. The right-wing proposal for a “Fortress Europe” is fast becoming a reality, as European governments increasingly turn to iron-fisted solutions in trying to blame migrants and refugees for their economic woes brought on by the failed prescriptions of neoliberal globalization.In behalf of its member-organizations, the IMA is calling on the EU to abide by the human rights instruments that it crafted and vowed to uphold. We also demand for the expeditious release of all those arrested and detained, as well as a stop to the practice of criminalizing migrants and political refugees in the whole EU zone.The IMA calls on all its members to campaign vigorously for the detained Turkish activists by issuing statements and conducting solidarity actions to press for their immediate release, and to pressure EU governments to apply human rights statutes fairly and refrain from conducting discriminatory actions against migrants. Release the arrested Turkish activists now!Stop the harassment of political refugees in the EU!Long live international solidarity!