Swedish Left Party Chairperson Jonas Sjöstedt, Parliament Deputy Speaker Lotto Jonhson Formarve and party member in charge of Foreign Affairs H. Erik Metz Swernaling visited the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Ankara on Tuesday. The Swedish politicians were welcomed by a delegation which consisted of HDP Co-chair Pervin Buldan and HDP Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokesperson Hişyar Özsoy.
‘SOLIDARITY GIVES STRENGTH’
The day before, the Swedish Left Party delegation wanted to visit HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who is held hostage in Edirne Prison, but they made a press statement in front of the prison because they were not allowed by the Turkish authorities.
Buldan said: “With this press statement, the Swedish delegation stated that both Demirtaş and all the people in prison are held unfairly and unlawfully. This statement is very important to us.”
Buldan added that, “The recent increase in solidarity gives us great power. We are in a period when we need this kind of solidarity. I express my gratitude to them and I wish the solidarity to grow and develop in future.”
PEOPLE ARE JAILED BECAUSE AUTHORITIES ARE SCARED ‘
Sjöstedt, who met Demirtaş before his imprisonment, remarked, “We wanted to visit Edirne yesterday. However, we were disappointed. We told the authorities in advance that we would like to pay a visit, but it was not possible. But I can assure you that we will keep coming. We will continue to come even if they don’t let us meet until Demirtaş gets his freedom. Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ represent thousands of political prisoners in Turkey”.
‘THEY SHOULD STOP AGGRESSION’
Sjöstedt continued: “In an environment of such aggression and conflict, HDP chose reason, logic, dialogue. Silencing this voice will be a great loss for Turkey. HDP does not only represent 6 million votes, but also is an important actor for democracy in Turkey. There are two ways for the Republic of Turkey. On the one hand, they might prefer more conflict, more violence both inside and outside, or conversely, dialogue and peaceful politics. Our demand is, of course, that they should be based on peace and dialogue. They should be based on peace dialogue rather than aggression. “
WARNING TO THE OPPOSITION
When asked by members of the press, “Are you going to visit other parties,” Sjöstedt replied, “This time we are only meeting with the HDP. We are here for the HDP today. We love the HDP, our sister party. At the same time, I want to say to other opposition parties; if they silence the HDP, they will be the next party to be silenced.”