This morning a group of Kurdish demonstrators entered the European Parliament to draw attention to the on-going violence in Kurdistan as Islamic State (IS) militants arrive at the Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane.

GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer went to meet the demonstrators inside the Parliament.

“We understand your concern for the people in your region, for your families and friends and we stand by your side in solidarity. We do not tolerate any violence against your people. Now we see the consequences of the western governments' deluded politics over the last decade,” she said.

“We urgently need an international solution for the conflicts in the Middle East with the overall participation of all partners in the region, including Iran. That is the only way to stop this murderous gang.”

The GUE/NGL group is made up of 52 MEPs from across Europe working for peace, solidarity, social justice, equality, democracy and human rights in Europe and beyond. It is the only gender balanced group in the European Parliament.

GUE/NGL Press:

David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09

Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20