Thousands of Kurds took to the streets of Lausanne on Saturday 22 July to mark the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne. The treaty, signed on 24 July 1923, is viewed by the Kurds as the foundation for a century of genocidal attacks against their people.
The march was accompanied by a rally in the square of Palais Rumine, a historically significant location where the partition of Kurdistan was sealed by the Treaty of Lausanne.
Yüksel Koç addressed the crowd, stating that the Kurdish people have been under Turkish, Arab, and Persian rule for a hundred years due to the treaty. He declared the Kurds’ continued existence and resistance, rejecting the agreement and calling for unity among the Kurdish people.
Zeynep Murad, co-chair of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), emphasised the evolution of the Kurdish people, their engagement in politics and diplomacy, and their fight for Kurdish identity and women’s freedom. She highlighted the global recognition of their struggle and the significance of their slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ [Woman, Life, Freedom].
Dr. Beppe Savary-Borioli, a Swedish parliamentarian and member of the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Committee in Switzerland, expressed his shame over the treaty’s signing and called for the removal of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from the terror list. He drew parallels between the potential freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the impact of Nelson Mandela’s freedom on Africa.
Asya Abdullah, co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), condemned the Treaty of Lausanne and paid tribute to the martyrs of Kurdistan. She affirmed the ongoing resistance against the treaty and the importance of Kurdish unity.
The rally concluded with performances by artists from the four parts of Kurdistan.
The Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923, ended the conflict between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire, leading to the establishment of modern Turkey. However, for the Kurds, it marked the beginning of a century of oppression and violence. This protest underscores the ongoing struggle of the Kurdish people for recognition and autonomy, and their resistance against policies they perceive as genocidal. The event also highlights the growing international recognition of the Kurdish cause and their fight for identity and freedom.
