Presence of PKK terrorist group in front of Council of Europe disturbs Turks in France

By Omer Tugrul Cam

STRASBOURG, France (AA) – The presence of the PKK protesting in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France is disturbing locals with roots in Türkiye, where the PKK is known as a terrorist group that has killed tens of thousands of people.

For years, PKK members and their supporters have been protesting about 100 meters (about 330 feet) from the entrance of the Council of Europe building, even though the group is also recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union, which France is part of.

The sit-in protests by PKK members, who unfurl banners of the terrorist group, and pictures of its terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan, have been going on for a dozen years.

Hundreds of members of the group coming from European countries such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, or other cities in France, make a scene and sometimes resort to violence during Council of Europe sessions.

In years past, many PKK members tried to break into the Council of Europe or the nearby European Court of Human Rights building and also clashed with the Strasbourg police. Some of the PKK members who damaged the buildings were arrested. But to date no PKK members have faced serious punishment for these actions.

- Locals Turks disturbed

Turks living France expressed their discomfort and uneasiness about the presence of the murderous terrorist group in the country.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ali Gedikoglu, head of the Strasbourg-based humanitarian NGO COJEP International, voiced his displeasure about this situation.

“We are disturbed by the campaign that this structure, which is an extension of the terrorist organization, has been conducting in Strasbourg for years to influence the public, especially Council of Europe deputies and decision-makers.”

Saying that the PKK is trying to spread propaganda to the French public, which is being victimized, Gedikoglu said that they are also working to warn the public about this.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the European Union, and the US, and is responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Though recognized as a terror group, the PKK openly maintains a dangerous foothold in Europe, including in such areas as human trafficking, drugs, and organized crime. Turkish officials have long complained to European countries that PKK terrorists are free to walk the streets of European cities, and militants can stage pro-terrorist protests without the police ever challenging them.

- PKK activities should be banned in Europe

Turks living in France stress that any activity of the PKK should be banned throughout Europe.

Gurhan Ay, a press officer for Strasbourg-based NGO Organization Racism Islamophobia Watch (ORIW), also underlined this.

Complaining that they brought up the issue many times before local leaders in Strasbourg, but nothing changed, Ay added: "This is unfortunately a reflection of the hypocritical behavior of Europe.”

Zekeriya Sahin, who has been a journalist in France for years, said they have known about the terrorist organization's activities in Strasbourg for years and that European countries apply double standards when it comes to the PKK.

Stating that PKK members try to create the impression that the terrorist group is innocent and victimized, Sahin stressed: "Actually, we’re telling people that this is not so.”

- Strasbourg, Council of Europe remain silent

Anadolu Agency efforts to get a response to the issue from the mayor and other officials of Strasbourg were fruitless.

Although some officials said they would respond to the questions within five days, they did not return phone calls.

Likewise, the Council of Europe declined to answer Anadolu Agency’s questions.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan in Istanbul