Thousands of people followed the call of Kurdish organizations and left-wing groups to protest for Rojava at a national demonstration in Zurich.
01/25/2026, 07:2301/25/2026, 07:23
On Saturday, thousands of people demonstrated in Zurich in solidarity with Rojava. Rojava is the Kurdish self-governing region in northeastern Syria. After attacks by the Syrian transitional government’s army, the end of Syrian Kurdish self-government is likely to be imminent.
Thousands of people protested in Zurich against the Syrian government’s actions.Image: KEYSTONE
Various Kurdish organizations, including the Council of the Swiss Kurdish Society (CDK-S), as well as left-wing groups have called for a spontaneous demonstration in Zurich. The Zurich city police gave spontaneous permission on site for a move along a specified route. According to police, the demonstration broke up around 6 p.m.
Following the demo, the CDK-S writes in a press release from 25,000 participants. The police speak of “several thousand” and report firecrackers, fireworks and spraying. The demonstration was peaceful.
Demonstrators are demanding more backbone from the Federal Council
The demonstrators demand that the Federal Council should take a clear position on the matter. It should also ensure the protection and political recognition of the Kurdish population. Zurich National Councilors Fabian Molina from the SP and Balthasar Glättli from the Greens, among others, took part in the demonstration and gave a speech.
In its statement, the CDK-S writes that reports of serious human rights violations, displacement and attacks on civilian infrastructure are increasing. What she highlights as particularly alarming is that prisons containing thousands of IS fighters have fallen into the hands of the Syrian army.
“At the same time, official Swiss representatives are traveling to Damascus to negotiate economic agreements with the Syrian regime,” the statement continues. By this they probably mean the deputy head of mission Vincent Pasquier, who recently met in Damascus with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Central Bank and the Syrian Chamber of Commerce – as part of Switzerland’s ongoing support for Syria’s economic development.
This is in strong contradiction to Switzerland’s human rights obligations. It contributes to the political normalization of a regime that promotes violence and destabilization.
This is what SP National Councilor Fabian Molina said loudly in his speech Daily Gazette:
«Kurdish women and men fought IS, also for security in Europe. Anyone who abandons Rojava is playing with fire.”
He demands: “It is high time for the Federal Council to take off its kid gloves, it has done nothing or very little so far.”
Armed incident at the end of the demonstration
Towards the end of the demonstration, according to CDK-S, a man was seen pointing a gun at the crowd. Demonstrators overpowered the man and handed him over to the police. There was no exchange of fire.
The Zurich city police also reported the incident in their statement. Police officers were able to locate and control the threatening person. The circumstances are unclear and are now being investigated. (little) (aargauerzeitung.ch)