HDP Europe

On August 27, our party HDP held its 4th Extraordinary Congress and handed over its activities to the Green Left Party. The decision was made in response to potential risks arising from the closure case against our party.

The Turkish governments unlawful and extrajudicial killings of Kurdish civilians and Kurdish politicians continues. Those who flee this oppression and take refuge in Southern and Rojava Kurdistan are murdered through criminal or drone attacks; both in violation of international law. We ask you to pay attention to this appeal and to act before international organizations and institutions to stop the criminal activities of the Turkish state.

Merdan Yanardağ, a well-known journalist and TV editor, was remanded in custody for emphasizing that the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan has no place in the law. “It must be lifted… But you are holding him hostage[…]”, he stressed.

Since the beginning of this year alone, Turkish drones have killed 48 people in North and East Syria and injured 38 more. Civilians accounted for 13 of those killed and 12 of those injured. The others were local security forces who had played an important part in the fight against ISIS. None of these people posed any threat to Turkey.

Patnos was one of the district municipalities where no trustees were appointed. Since August 2019, 83 co-mayors have been detained, and 39 mayors arrested. With the latest arrest of Patnos co-mayors, the number of detained and arrested co-mayors has increased to 85 and 41, respectively.

According to a report released by the Turkish Human Rights Association’s Diyarbakır Branch, as of 7 June, 82 crashes involving armoured military or police vehicles or vehicles under the control of law enforcement officers have taken place in Kurdish cities in the last 15 years, resulting in 44 citizens, including 21 children…

The journalist Valentina Ruggiu conducted the written interview with Sebahat Tuncel who is imprisoned in Sincan Kadın Cezaevi of Ankara. We publish excerpts of the interview conducted shortly before Erdoğan’s re-election in English translation, about her elections, Kobani Trial and the conditions in prison.

“We have expressed and defended that the main thing in these elections was to change the regime. We made an effort to open the door to democracy by offering realistic promises to a society faced by a choice between authoritarianism or democracy.”

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the Green Left (Yeşil Sol) Party have announced that their support for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will continue in the second round of the presidential election. (UPDATED)

As the third strongest force in parliament, we are determined to make the regime that we did not let win in the first round of the elections lose in the run-off. In the coming days, we will continue our way with the determination of our peoples that gives us breath and life, and we will surely win.

Turkey’s elections on May 14 brought incumbent Erdoğan to the cusp of another term in office. But he now faces a runoff vote, in which prodemocratic and Kurdish forces can still inflict a historic defeat upon the authoritarian president.

“We consider it important to maintain our position as the third largest party in the parliament after an unfair election amid a critical period. With this in mind, we will continue our struggle. We will ensure that democratic politics provides a basis for a solution to all problems.”

Receiving 9,33 per cent of the votes in the May 14 elections, the Green Left Party won 63 seats in the Parliament in Turkey.

The HDP Europe is in close contact with these election observation delegations. In addition, it will be in exchange with the HDP headquarters, the Green Left Party, journalists and politicians.

There are independent election observation delegations consisting of 175 parliamentarians, party representatives, civil society representatives, lawyers, academics, scientists, journalists and activists who will document violations.

Interview by Laura Sestini with Devriş Çimen: “The Turkey has experienced all kinds of politics in its hundred-year history: Kemalism, Islamism, coups, military dictatorship, and finally authoritarianism. The only thing that has not been tried is democracy.”

“Green Left Party should enter parliament with strong group” says Green Left Party Deputy candidate in Istanbul Sırrı Süreyya Önder who spoke to ANF about the presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May.

We appeal to the Turkish authorities to refrain from interfering in the election process and commit to free and fair elections. And we send our support to our partners and friends who are working for a democratic, ecological, women’s rights based and free Turkey.

For the HDP, the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey are an opportunity to initiate democratic change. Interview by Julian Gastelo with Devriş Çimen for Progressive Alliance

HDP Law and Human Rights Commission Co-Spokesperson Nuray Özdoğan said that 295 people were detained and 61 were imprisoned in a month as the government is seeking provocation.