The Turkish AKP-MHP coalition has been systematically prosecuting and repressing the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) since 2015. As result of this politically motivated criminalization campaign, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to ban the HDP.
The following solidarity statements rose all around the globe for our party after this lawsuit was filed. Herewith we thank you all friends who stand in solidarity with us.
P.S. We will keep updating this page regularly. Last updated on April 9
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URUGUAY: Frente Amplio (Movimiento De Participación Popular)
The statement issued by 2 senators and 9 deputies of the Uruguayan parliament, on behalf of the Frente Amplio (Movimiento De Participación Popular), begins with a strong statement: “From Uruguay, the undersigned want to warn about the possible illegalization in Turkey of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)”.
This statement is yet another demonstration of how much support the HDP receives, despite the invisibilization that the issue suffers in the international geopolitical arena.
April 9, 2021 – The full statement in Spanish
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UNITED STATES: DSA International Committee, Democratic Socialists of America in USA
“We stand with the pro-democratic and socialist forces in the nation and oppose rising fascism. (…) The IC calls on DSA’s 85,000+ members to educate themselves on the circumstances and plight of the HDP, to appeal to local consulates and embassies on their behalf where appropriate, and to join efforts led by Turkish and Kurdish citizens and diaspora populations to defend the HDP and what vestiges of democracy remain in Turkey.”
April 6, 2021 – Please find the full statement
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SWITZERLAND: Statement from 33 MPs of Switzerland
“In an urgent appeal to the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, 33 members of the Council of States and National Council have called for pressure on Turkey over human rights violations and urged the government to postpone ratification of the country’s new free trade agreement with Ankara until Turkey implements the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).”
April 2, 2021, Source: www.hdpeurope.eu
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LUXEMBOURG: Déi Lénk (The Left)
The Left Party (Déi Lénk), one of the opposition parties of Luxembourg, sent a message of solidarity to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which the AKP-MHP government wants to ban.
March 30, 2021 – Full statement at link (german)
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SRI LANKA: People’s Liberation Front (JVP)
“JVP condemns ban proceedings against HDP of Turkey”
March 30, 2021, Please find the full statement
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GERMANY: Greens, SPD, Die LINKE., CDU of Hamburg Region
71 deputies from four parliamentary groups in the Hamburg State Parliament condemned the banning of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey and called on the Erdogan government to immediately return to the Istanbul Convention. All those imprisoned for political reasons should be released immediately, according to the members from the parliamentary groups DIE GRÜNEN, DIE LINKE, SPD and CDU in the Hamburg state parliament, who declared their solidarity with the democratic forces in Turkey.
March 29, 2021, Please find the full statement
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SPAIN: PODEMOS
“We condemn the Turkish government’s harassment of the HDP by removing the immunity and seat of MP Gergerlioğlu. Also its withdrawal from Istambul convent against violence against women. Together with @Left_EU we demand EU stop Turkey’s HR violations.”
March 29, 2021 – Please find the full statement
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FRANCE: Olivier Faure, who is currently First Secretary of the French Socialist Party (PS)
“On behalf of the Socialist party and on my own name, allow me to express yourselves, your Party and all the people you represent our strong concern about the continuous deteriorating situation of the democracy and rule of law in Turkey. For almost six years, we, in France, and the whole European socialist and social democrat family have been denouncing the authoritarian regime led by Erdogan, including his policy of associating as so-called terrorists all the Kurdish people and the democratically elected people of the HDP. The imprisonment of your co-leaders Mr Selahattin Demirtas and Ms Figen Yüksekdag under groundless accusations, after the lift of their parliamentary immunities together with 55 deputies as you recall in your letter (and in addition the latest similar move against MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu on March 17″), was the start of a permanent repression against the HDP. Wishing you to stay strong, fraternally,”
March 26, 2021, Source: www.hdpeurope.eu
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NETHERLANDS: Lilian Marijnissen & Tiny Kox, who are Chairpersons of the SP Group in the Second Chamber and the First Chamber of the StatesGeneral of the Netherlands
“May we first express our great admiration for your continuous struggle for a more democratic and just Turkey and all its citizens. Please accept our best wishes to you and all those who strive of a democratic Turkey, based on the rule of law and respect of fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens. With you we strongly condemn the attempts of the Turkish authorities to lift the immunity of parliamentarians of the elected opposition, which first and foremost go against the elected parliamentarians of HDP. And with you we consider it against the fundamental rules of democracy that the Turkish authorities keep looking for ways to a possible closure of HDP, the third party of the country. This is a clear violation of the will of the electorate, expressed in the last general elections.“
March 26, 2021, Source: www.hdpeurope.eu
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GERMANY: Janine Wissler & Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, who are Co-Chairs of DIE LINKE.
“You know, as DIE LINKE we always condemned the oppression, the total disregard of human rights, freedom rights and justice. We demanded from our government as well as in the European parliament a clear rejection of Erdogan’s authoritarian politics, and political consequences. We demanded freedom for all political prisoners, a stop of all arms exports to Turkey and the end of the EU refugee deal. But the changes in the EU and Germany’s politics towards Turkey had been very little. We see the bravery of all HDP comrades, your strength and endurance. Despite the worsening of the situation, you kept going your way and remain to your struggle. We as DIE LINKE stand by your side in solidarity. We, as the new chairs, wish to keep on with our good relationship between our parties.”
March 26, 2021, Source: www.hdpeurope.eu
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NORWAY: The Red Party of Norway
“Together for democracy – Solidarity with HDP”
March 26, 2021 – Please find the full statement
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GERMANY: Grüne Fraktion NRW
“We stand in solidarity with all democratic forces.”
March 26, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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INDONESIA: Partai Rakjat Pekerja, (PRP) – The Working People’s Party
“Stop the repression! We condemn the attempts to ban the People’s Democratic Party of Turkey”
March 26, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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BASQUE COUNTRY/SPAIN: Iratzar Fundazioa
“Iratzar (Basque Foundation) condemns Turkey’s attempt to outlaw the HDP, as well as sentencing of MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu.”
March 25, 2021 – Please find the full statement
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EU PARLIAMENT: European Parliament Standing Rapporteur for Turkey Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, ES) and Chair of the EU-Turkey parliamentary delegation Sergey Lagodinsky (Greens/EFA, DE) issued the following statement.
“The move towards banning the second largest opposition party HDP, a new sentence against the latter’s former co-Chair, Selahattin Demirtaş, in blatant disregard of rulings by the European Court of Human Rights..”
March 24, 2021 – Source: www.europarl.europa.eu
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AUSTRALIA-EUROPE: European Representation of ILPS (International League of Peoples’ Struggle)
“HDP is a political party representing diverse backgrounds from different nationalities and beliefs …”
March 24, 2021 – Source: www.ilps.info
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EUROPEAN UNION: DIEM 25, (The Democracy in Europe Movement 2025)
“A solidarity statement with the HDP”
March 24, 2021 – Source: www.diem25.org
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GALICIA/SPAIN: Ana Miranda, BNG (Bloque Nacionalista Galego)
“BNG are joined by the international actions that rexeitan or Turkey’s attempt to suppress the Democratic Party of Pobo-HDP of the party system”
March 24, 2021 – Please find the full statement
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CATALONIA/SPAIN: Assemblea Nacional Catalana International
“The Catalan National Assembly strongly condemns the Turkish public prosecutor’s attempts to ban the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). This flagrant violation of democratic rights arrives after years of Turkey’s repression of the democratic opposition forces which represent the Kurdish national minority, among others. (…) Turkey’s lawfare against the HDP must stop!”
March 24, 2021 – Please read the full statement
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NEW ZEALAND: Socialist Aotearoa
Socialist Aotearoa (New Zealand) strongly condemns the ban proceedings against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey as a affront to democracy and we stand with the HDP against this repression.
After removing many democratically elected Kurdish mayors, the Turkish state is now moving to ban a democratic party for which millions of people have voted for. This is unlawful, undemocratic and a violation of civil and political rights.
For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been imprisoned, like so many other opposition MPs, members of parliament, mayors and journalists.
We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ban proceedings and to release from prison and restore to office all HDP elected representatives, and free all other political prisoners.”Socialist Aotearoa (New Zealand) strongly condemns the ban proceedings against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey as an affront to democracy and we stand with the HDP against this repression.”
23 March, 2021
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BELGIUM: Wouter De Vriendt, Policy Officer Ecolo-Groen Federal Parliament
”We have been following the news coverage regarding the stripping of Mr. Gergerlioğlu’s MP status. We are pleased that Mr. Gergerlioğlu has been released on the 21th of March.
We condemn the case to ban Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the wrongful arrests of party members. On behalf of the federal Green parties, I wish to express my solidarity with defenders of democracy.”
23 March, 2021
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INDONESIA: Dominggus Oktavianus, General Secretary of People’s Democratic Party (PRD) of Indonesia
“I am on behalf of Partai Rakyat Demokratik (PRD) of Indonesia strongly condemn the ban proceedings against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey as a affront to democracy and we stand with the HDP against this repression.
After the outrageous impeachment of many Kurdish mayors, the Turkish authorities now are moving to ban a democratic party for which millions of people have voted for. This is unlawful, undemocratic and a violation of civil and political rights.
For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been innocently in prison, like so many opposition members, members of parliament, mayors and journalists.
We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ban proceedings, stop the repression against the HDP and to release all HDP elected representatives from prison.”
March 23, 2021
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GALICIA/SPAIN: Galizan People’s Union-UPG, International Secretary
WE CONDEMN THE PERSECUTION OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY – HDP
Given the information about the petition to outlaw the Peoples’ Democratic Party-HDP proposed by the Turkish public prosecutor’s office, and the arrest in recent days of several dozen institutional positions and leaders of that party, we want to make public our rejection of the repressive action of the Turkish government, which violates the political rights of a party that is the third largest in the Turkish state and had the support of eight million voters in 2018. The petition to outlaw the HDP also includes a ban on 687 HDP leaders and institutional positions from political activity for five years.
The HDP has suffered persecution since its establishment in 2016 for being the umbrella party of the Kurdish people’s rights movement, part of the left and minorities in Turkey. The attempt to outlaw it is one more step in the policy of the Erdogan government, and a submissive judiciary, to eliminate any kind of dissent.
We also denounce the hypocrisy of the spanish government and the European Union, just yesterday the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs declared that “after a few months of enormous turbulence in the relations between the EU and Turkey, perhaps the time has come to promote a positive agenda with Turkey”, thus demonstrating that she does not care about the repression in Turkey and, in particular, the repression of the Kurdish people.
From Galicia we reiterate our support to the Kurdish people in their struggle and to the Peoples Democratic Party-HDP.
March 23, 2021
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EUROPE: ELDH European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights
“ELDH demands that the EU and other governments do not tolerate any longer the complete destruction of democracy in Turkey, the violation of human rights and the disregard of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. The democratic forces in Turkey cannot pay the price for the military and economic interests of the EU and NATO. They cannot pay the price for the EU’s inhumane refugee policy. Action is needed by the EU and other states which claim to be democracies. At the upcoming European Council meeting on March 26, 2021, the relationship with Turkey will be on the agenda. The EU must not miss this crucial chance to save one of the two opposition parties in the Turkish parliament. Another statement by the EU will not be sufficient. The EU has the political and economic power to enforce its demands.”
March 23, 2021 – Please read the full statement
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ITALY: Rete dei Comunisti
As Rete dei Comunisti (Italy) stands in solidarity with Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) against yet another judicial and political attack by Erdogan on HDP and its party members.
March 23, 2021 – For full statement please find the communiqué in Italian
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GREECE: SYRIZA
Renewed statement from SYRIZA
“The proposed ban on HDP, submitted to the Constitutional Court of Turkey, constitues an escalation of a long series of persecutions and imprisonments of MPs, mayors and leading members of this party. It is indicative that this proposal came after Turkey’s parliament decision to deprive from yet another HDP MP, his elected position.
If this ban takes place, it will further undermine democracy and civil rights in Turkey, and will violate directly the will of millions of citizens who sent HDP to Parliament as the third strongest party.
SYRIZA-Progressive alliance expresses its solidarity and support to HDP as well as to all democratic and progressive forces in Turkey struggling for democracy, civil rights and the promotion of peaceful relations between Turkey and Greece.”
March 22, 2021 – Source: www.syriza.gr
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FRANCE: Jean Luc-Mélenchon, MP for France
A letter to France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,
22 March, 2021, Source: Twitter
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THE UNITED KINGDOM: Kate Osborne, British Labour Party politician
“Last week in Parliament, I highlighted the increasingly authoritarian policies of President Erdoğan and the Turkish Government during a Westminster Hall Debate on the Arrest of Opposition Politicians in Turkey.
HDP activists and politicians have suffered continuous harassment, arrests, and imprisonment, including over 700 arrests on 15 February this year. They are arrested under the guise of ‘belonging to a terrorist organisation’, or ‘promotion of a terrorist group’. It has led to the party’s leaders all receiving lengthy prison sentences and elected MPs and local politicians arrested and replaced with the Government’s appointed trustees. It is now looking increasingly likely that the ongoing political and legal onslaught on the HDP may well result in the party being banned.”
March 22, 2021 – Please find the full statement: https://labouroutlook.org/
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DENMARK: Karsten Hønge, MP and foreign affairs spokesperson of the Socialist People’s Party (SF)
“Erdogan uses every undemocratic abuse he can think of to cling to power. He wants to secure his own future by banning Turkey’s 3rd largest party, HDP. Solidarity and support from SF to democracy and the left…”
22 March, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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ITALY/EP: Massimiliano SMERIGLIO, MEP, Italian Democratic Party (PD)
“The Turkish authorities are calling for the dissolution of HDP, a party associated with the PES and the country’s third largest political force. It is an attack on democracy and the Kurdish people that we must condemn.”
March 20, 202 – Source : Twitter
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CYPRUS: Union of Cypriots – Ένωσις Κυπρίων – Kıbrıslılar Birliği
“The relationship between Cypriots and Kurds is not just a matter of international solidarity. The fraternity of the two nations is based on sharing a common destiny.
Union of Cypriot denounces the new attack on the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) by the Turkish State. HDP, currently the third biggest political party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, faces closure after the appeal of the Chief Public Prosecutor to the Constitutional Court. Up to now, the Turkey’s Constitutional Court has banned six pro-Kurdish political parties in the last three decades.
These actions did not silence the Kurdish people and their struggle. On the contrary, Kurdish political movements got stronger each time they were targeted by the Turkish State.
We do not agree with the political movements that see the current situation as a product of only the current Turkish dictatorship regime. From the establishment of the Turkish State, its attacks on Kurds and Cypriots continued almost constantly. The reason behind that is the fact of Kurdish and Turkish-speaking Cypriots have always been two obstacles against the neo-Ottomanist so-called “national causes” of Turkey.
The people united will never be defeated! While wishing happy Newroz to Kurdish people, we express our solidarity and unity to their national and democratic liberation struggle.”
March 20, 2021
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INDIA: Abhishek Mishra, National Secretary of Samajwadi Party
We, at Samajwadi Party, are strongly in favor of strengthening democratic institutions and processes, and fully support the principle of citizens rights to choose a party of their favor to represent them through a democratically elected, free and fair election process.
March 20, 2021
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PHILIPPINES: Reihana Mohideen, PLM-International On behalf of Party of the Laboring Masses (PLM)
“Turkey — Stop the Repression Against the HDP
The Party of the Laboring Masses (PLM) Philippines strongly condemns the ban proceedings against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey as an affront to democracy and we stand with the HDP against this repression.
After the outrageous impeachment of many Kurdish mayors, the Turkish authorities now are moving to ban a democratic party for which millions of people have voted for. This is unlawful, undemocratic and a violation of civil and political rights.
For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been innocently in prison, like so many opposition members, members of parliament, mayors and journalists.
We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ban proceedings, stop the repression against the HDP and to release all HDP elected representatives from prison.”
March 20, 2021
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ITALY: Power to the People / Potere al Popolo (PaP)
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the latest development in Turkey’s campaign of repression against the Peoples’ Democratic Party, the HDP. Turkey has finally decided to drop all pretences and is seeking to ban outright the countries third largest political party. This turn of events represents a truly dark moment in Turkey’s history and for democracy globally.
On the same day that one of the HDP’s MPs, Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, was stripped of his seat in parliament in an unprecedent and seemingly illegal move, the Turkish public prosecutor brought legal proceedings seeking to ban the HDP outright. The Turkish parliament now looks to be in a very precarious position – Turkish democracy has effectively been shut down.
For years Turkey’s NATO allies turned a blind eye to Turkey’s authoritarian drift, just as they turned a blind eye to its occupation and ethnic cleansing of Afrin. Now, while the major NATO powers, including the US and the EU, express their alarm at the ending of formal democracy, such appeals ring hollow to those who for many years have fought courageously against Erdogan’s repression.
We are gravely concerned for what this move will mean for women, minority communities and dissidents in Turkey. We call on internationalists to amplify the plight of the HDP and Turkish minorities and to stand with them in this hour of need. The cause of the HDP is the cause of progressive politics everywhere, it is the cause of peace in the face of aggression.”
March 20, 2021 – Source: https://poterealpopolo.org
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AUSTRALIA: Socialist Alliance
“CONDEMN THE ATTEMPTS TO BAN THE PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF TURKEY
“Socialist Alliance Australia has long expressed our solidarity with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey and we stand again to condemn the latest attempts by the authoritarian Erdoğan regime to ban the party.
The HDP represents an important voice for justice, democracy and freedom in Turkey and needs to be heard not stifled. The long running campaign of repression by the Turkish regime is an affront to democracy and needs to be resisted everywhere.
Turkish authorities using dubious excuses have arrested and imprisoned numerous elected mayors and parliamentarians and party leaders. The HDP has strong support in the Kurdish majority areas of Turkey and the government’s repression is an attack on the democratic rights of the Kurdish minority.
The latest attempts to ban the HDP – a party which millions of people have voted for and has significant representation in the national parliament – is an unlawful, undemocratic action which violates civil and political rights of the Turkish people.
For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been held in prison even though the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that he should be released. This unjust detention is also faced by many opposition members, members of parliament, mayors and journalists.
We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ban proceedings, stop the repression against the HDP and to release all HDP elected representatives from prison.
Further, we call on the Australian government to immediately make a public statement calling for release of HDP representatives from detention and of opposition to the Turkish government’s attempts to ban the HDP.”
March 20, 2021 – Source: https://socialist-alliance.org/
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CORSICA/FRANCE: L’EFA, Corsica
EFA condemns the Turkish government’s decision to ban the HDP.
Please find the full statement in French
20 March, 2021
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THE UNITED KINGDOM: Doug Nicholls, General Secretary, General Federation of Trade Unions
“The General Federation of Trade Unions represents 26 national trade unions throughout Britain, with some also based overseas. We have enjoyed the company and contributions to our conferences of HDP members and Parliamentarians who we have invited to inform us of developments in Turkey. Your representatives have shared the truth about what is happening in Turkey with us and we are very grateful for that. We know that the HDP is a party of peace loving democrats and the third largest political party in the Turkish Parliament and that you represent wide interests of people with social and humane aspirations. We therefore cannot believe that attempts are now being made to ban your party on top of all the harassment and unfair treatment that you have already faced. We oppose the attempted banning of your party and all harassment of all those who oppose the iniquities of the current regime and its inhumanity. We will make our views known and encourage others to as well. This is an issue of international significance and we all know that the banning of political parties and the crushing of democracy has very terrible historic parallels. In solidarity”
March 19, 2021
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SWITZERLAND: Les Verts/Green Party of Switzerland
“GREENS condemn the recent wave of repression in Turkey against MPs, opponents & human rights representatives. We declare our solidarity with HDP and HDP MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu.”
March, 19, 2021- Source: Twitter
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ITALY/EP: Pina Picierno, MEP, PD Italy
“This morning Erdogan had members of the HDP, the main pro-Kurdish party, arrested. The EU must not deal with a criminal who arrests his opponents: The EU should not deal with a criminal who arrests his opponents: U. von der Leyen, EU Commissions President MUST apply for their release in the videoconference scheduled for today.“
March 19, 2021, Source: Twitter
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SWITZERLAND: Co-Presidents Mattea Meyer and Cédric Wermuth, the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
“The SP Switzerland looks with concern at the latest escalation of repression in Turkey and condemns it in the strongest possible terms. She shows solidarity with her sister party, the Democratic Party of the Peoples HDP and the HDP MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, one of the most important voices in Turkey against the violation of human rights and for democracy.
With the expulsion of Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu from parliament and the efforts of the attorney general of the Supreme Court to have the HDP outlawed by the constitutional court, Turkey threatens even more to plunge into the darkest times of the dictatorship. The SP stands on the side of all those forces that oppose this development with nonviolent means.
After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tore the economy into the abyss, plunged large sections of the population into poverty and largely isolated the country internationally, the international community must now not stand idly by while he continues to destroy democracy and the rule of law and his own Wants to secure power with a systematic violation of human rights.
- We appeal to the Turkish authorities to respect the democratic election of HDP MP Gergerlioğlu and not to interfere with his parliamentary mandate.
- We appeal to the Turkish Constitutional Court to respect the separation of powers and not to follow the motion to ban the HDP.
- We appeal to the Swiss Federal Council to remind Turkey of its international obligations to respect human rights, the rule of law and democracy and to examine serious sanctions.
- We appeal to the international community, namely the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN Human Rights Council, to take action now and to do everything possible so that peace, the rule of law and human rights in Turkey have a future again.”
March 19, 2021
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MALAYSIA: Choo Chon Kai, Central Committee Member, Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
“Socialist Party of Malaysia strongly condemns the ban proceedings against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey. The threat of banning HDP came after years of repression on the democratic opposition forces in Turkey.
On 17th March 2021, the top public prosecutor of the high court of appeals has filed a case with the constitutional court to demand the closure of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the third largest party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey which received close to six million votes in 2018 general election. The proceedings to ban HDP came on the same day that the government stripped off HDP parliamentarian Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu’s status as a member of parliament.
After the outrageous impeachment of many Kurdish mayors since 2019 and stripping off a number of HDP parliamentarians from their positions, the Turkish authorities are now moving to ban a democratic party for which millions of people have voted for. This is unlawful, undemocratic and a violation of civil and political rights. It shown that the authoritarian regime of Erdogan wants to clear his main opposition out of the way.
For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been innocently in prison, like so many opposition members, members of parliament, mayors and journalists.
We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately halt the ban proceedings, stop the repression against the HDP and to release all HDP elected representatives from prison.
We stand in solidarity with the HDP in their fight against this repression.”
March 19, 2021
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BELGIUM: Evelyne Huytebroeck, co-chair of the European Green Party & Sinan Tutal, co-spokesperson of the Yeşiller ve Sol Gelecek
On Wednesday 17 March, the Chief Public Prosecutor of Turkey’s top Court of Appeals requested dissolution of the HDP party. The fate of the party now lies in the hands of the Constitutional court. This decision is another blow, and a part of continued and continuous attacks from Turkish judiciary, against democratic political opposition. In a country where civic activism and free media have long been repressed by the government, this further sign of democratic and rule of law backsliding is unacceptable and must not be left unchecked.
The European Green Party calls for the request for dissolution of the HDP to be rejected. We call for the Turkish government to respect party pluralism and democratic opposition forces. In particular, we call for the release of all prisoners of conscience*.
Additionally, the European Green Party calls on European heads of states to include the rule of law situation in Turkey to be discussed during the next European Council meeting.
Evelyne Huytebroeck, co-chair of the European Green Party comments:
“The relationship between Turkey and the EU must absolutely be based on core democratic principles: the respect for human and civil rights and the upholding of democratic and rule of law standards.
This authoritarian curtailing of a democratic opposition party has no space in modern democracies.
We stand in support to the HDP and to all democratic and civic forces in Turkey. Prisoners of conscience, like young green activist Cihan Erdal must be released immediately.”
Sinan Tutal, co-spokesperson of the Yeşiller ve Sol Gelecek party adds:
“The situation is degrading fast for democratic opposition and activists. In the last days, several human rights and women’s rights activists have been arrested and detained for dubious claims. They are unfairly treated by the judicial system and are not granted the basic defense rights they deserve.
We will continue defending the rights of all activists and of all democratic opposition parties. Turkish citizens deserve the highest democratic and rule of law standards.”
March 19, 2021 – Source: www.europeangreens.eu
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NORWAY: Audun Lysbakken, Leader of the Socialist Left Party of Norway
“As politicians committed to fundamental democratic values and human rights, we are obliged to speak out against those who threaten them and stand in solidarity with those who fight for them. For many years, those who struggle for a free and democratic Turkey have been the primary victims of President Erdoğan’s shameful and authoritarian policies. Recently, the Erdoğan government’s oppression has intensified.
In 2016, 55 democratically elected parliamentarians from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) were stripped, unlawfully, of their parliamentary immunity. Among them were the HDP co-chair, Selahattin Demirtaş, who was subsequently imprisoned. Since then, the HDP has suffered under a continuous oppression campaign from the Turkish government, in an attempt to crush a legitimate, democratic movement. This has happened despite binding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, demanding the immediate release of political prisoners, and despite numerous warnings from key actors in the international community.
As the international community’s attention is focused on fighting a deadly pandemic, the Turkish government has focused their efforts on fighting democratic representation in their own country. Over the last weeks, the government has stepped up its judicial attacks against the HDP, with the ultimate aim of dissolving the party. Other parliamentarians, such as Ömer Gergerlioglu, have also been stripped of immunity, in an egregious attack on freedom of speech.
The Socialist Left Party of Norway stands with the HDP and the democratic Turkish opposition in their struggle for democratic rights and human rights in their own country. The international community, and especially Turkey’s international allies, must react strongly and firmly against Erdoğan’s authoritarian moves.
An important first step should be demanding the release of Turkey’s political prisoners, and an immediate halt in the judicial persecution of the HDP and other democratic forces in the country. All international actors should make it clear that democratic reforms, respect of basic human rights, and peaceful negotiation is the only way forward.”
March 19, 2021
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ITALY/EP: Giuliano Pisapia, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
“The detention of Gergerlioğlu deputy of the HDP Party for a post on social media casts yet another shadow on the aspiration of the Turkish people to democracy, freedom and respect for human rights. Solidarity with his family and with the Turkish people.”
March 19, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: The Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group
(…) We urge the Turkish authorities:
– to cease its acts of intimidation against opposition
– to comply with the obligations enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights
– to abide by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights to immediately release Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş
– to implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission and GRECO and proceed to the fundamental reforms that would ensure the independence of the judiciary
The Socialists, Democrats and Greens join their voices with the international community and strongly condemn the provocative violations of rule of law and democracy by the Turkish authorities. We stand by the critical voices of millions of Turkish citizens, present our full solidarity, and reassure them that their voices will not be silenced.
March 19, 2021 – Please find the full statement in English
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SPAIN: More Country (Más País)
“We sympathize with the deputies of the HDP who are currently facing the outlawing of their party in Turkey in a climate increasingly less conducive to democratic pluralism.”
March 19, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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GALICIA/SPAIN: Ana Maria MIRANDA PAZ, Spokesperson BNG Europe, BNG Galiza
“Strongly against the attack on this sister party Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)”
March 19, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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GERMANY/EP: Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the European Parliament, Greens Spokesperson on Turkey Politics
„We are witnessing a major crackdown on the political opposition in Turkey. The prosecution’s move towards a ban of the Democratic People’s Party (HDP) under the pretext of alleged links to militants is a clear attempt to limit political pluralism and parliamentary debate and ultimately is a suppression of democratic votes by a large number of Turkish citizens.
„The so-called action plan for human rights presented by President Erdoğan has not survived even a month. The indictment against HDP is a crude and worrisome proof that this plan will not be followed by action. It is another blow in a long line of violations of democratic principles in Turkey, with opposition-leaders and activists continuously arrested, oppressed and stripped of elected offices.
„We stand in solidarity with all democratic forces of Turkey, most notably the peaceful HDP politicians and their democratic and diverse electorate. I strongly condemn the recent arrests of opponents and attempts by the Turkish authorities to silence political opponents. All political prisoners must be released, sacked mayors reinstated and members of parliament must have a free and secure way of executing their offices. I call upon the Turkish authorities to respect international law, human rights and democratic principles“
March 19, 2021
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SWEDEN: Håkan Svenneling, Swedish Left Party deputy and Foreign Policy Spokesman
In a video speech Swedish Left Party deputy and Foreign Policy Spokesman Håkan Svenneling condemned the revocation of HDP MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu’s parliamentary status. The Swedish MP demanded sanctions against Turkey.
Tony Haddou, Lorena Delgado Varas and Ali Esbati MPs of the Swedish Left Party stand in solidarity with the People’s Democratic Party (HDP).
March 19, 2021 – Further info: www.anfenglishmobile.com
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GERMANY: Janine Wissler, Co-chair of the Left Party (Die LINKE.)
“Solidarity with the HDP!“
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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CYPRUS: Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL)
“Continuing the practice of silencing any dissenting voice towards the AKP party government, the Turkish authorities yesterday proceeded to lift the parliamentary immunity of Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu. The MP of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) was sentenced for a post he made on a social network outlet five years ago. This is the 14th member of the HDP Parliamentary Group, within the space of 4 years, which has seen his/her parliamentary immunity lifted and he will be imprisoned. At the same time, a prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Turkey yesterday called for the banning of the HDP. This constitutes an all-out attack on the HDP and the democratic and political rights of any opposition political or other organized group.
AKEL denounces this new attack on HDP and expresses its solidarity with HDP, its militants and leading members who are in prison, as well as with all the forces in Turkey that are struggling against the Erdogan regime. The representatives of AKEL in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament will denounce this new attack.”
March 18, 2021
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GREECE: Fotini Bakadima, Member of Parliament B ‘Piraeus
Full solidarity to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu and HDP. Democracy and human rights are dying in Turkey. We cannot turn away!
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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BELGIUM: Bert De Belder, Head of the Department of International Relations, Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA)
“The Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA) condemns in the strongest terms the new brutal attacks of the Turkish authorities against the HDP and its elected representatives. The Erdogan government’s attempts to instrumentalize the Turkish judicial system in order to lift the immunity of your parliamentarians and ultimately close down your party are completely inacceptable.
They also illustrate once again the deeply worrying and dangerous regression of democratic rights observed in Turkey in the latest years, leading, among others, to the incarceration of former HDP co-chairs and of a large number of HDP mayors on politically motivated charges.
As declared in its statement by The Left Group in the European Parliament, which includes our MEP Marc Botenga, we encourage all those who strive to protect and promote respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Turkey, to continue their just struggle and we offer them our solidarity and support.”
March 18, 2021
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MAURITIUS: Vijay Makhan, former secretary of foreign affairs and member of the Movement Militant Mauricien (MMM)
“The MMM (Mauritius) is very concerned by the turn of events regarding the injustice faced by the HDP. Any form of injustice is a direct attack on democracy. We all need to stand up against any such form of oppressive actions.
The MMM stands by the sister party HDP in these troubled moments and calls on the authorities to show restraint in handling the situation, exacerbated as it is by the current pandemic that afflicts the world. It is precisely in such dire moments that democracy and its principles and values should be upheld. In solidarity”
March 18, 2021
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EUROPE: EFA – European Free Alliance
EFA Condemns the Turkish Government’s Move to Ban the HDP
The Turkish government, under Erdogan, has moved to ban the Democratic People’s Party (HDP). EFA is extremely concerned with this action and firmly stands beside the HDP, offering our full support.
After years of pressure and attempted repression of Erdogan’s opposition in Turkey, the public prosecutor’s office is attempting to ban the HDP entirely. The public prosecutor accuses the HDP of being the political front of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as their justification for this measure, yet the HDP firmly denies formal links to the militants and says the sole reason for the persecution of their party is that they oppose Erdogan’s government.
As the third largest party in the Turkish parliament, the HDP represent a significant portion of political voices in Turkey. EFA stands against the oppression of democratic voices in Turkey.
The party condemned the indictment as a “heavy blow to democracy” and called on its supporters to resist.
“We call on all the democratic forces, the social and political opposition, and on our people to join a common fight against this political coup,” it said in a statement.
EFA calls on the European Union to act using all of their powers as an international body to ensure that democracy prevails in Turkey. As a long-standing member of the Council of Europe and a candidate country, Turkey must safeguard its democratic system, including respect for human rights and the rule of law and the freedom of political association.
(…)
EFA President, Lorena Lopez de Lacalle said:
‘The Turkish regime tramples democracy and entirely attacks the HDP’s strong, democratic and peaceful opposition.
What are the EU institutions waiting for in order to take decisive action against Erdogan’s power? Turkey is sinking into a dictatorship. The EU must act to avoid it.’
18 March, 2021 – Source: www.e-f-a.org
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BASQUE COUNTRY/SPAIN: EH Bildu
EH Bildu condemns Turkey’s attempt to outlaw the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), as well as the sentencing of parliamentarian Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu, who has been stripped of his MP status stripped of his MP status for a prison sentence of 2 years, 6 months over a social media post.
Turkey continues to violate the rights of the Kurdish people. This time with a clear threat to outlaw HDP, Turkey’s main Kurdish party. In this sense, we urge the international community to express its rejection of this arbitrariness, as well as to defend the rights of the Kurdish people, in the face of impunity in Turkey.
EH Bildu will continue to defend the political activity of the HDP, and in general, the rights of the Kurdish people, and denouncing the systematic violation of human rights committed by Turkey.
18 March, 2021, Source: www.ehbildu.eus
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CATALONIA/SPAIN: MEP for Esquerra ERC at the Greens/EFA group
“Deeply concerned about Turkish government’s move to ban opposition party HDP. Turkey should respect the existence of a free opposition, as essential part of fundamental rules of democracy”
18 March, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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GREECE: Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
“The KKE denounces the Turkish government of the AKP for the intensity of authoritarianism and repression at the expense of the Turkish labor and popular movement and the “industry” of persecution, with pretentious and fabricated accusations, at the expense of its political opponents.
A recent example of this policy of persecution was the court ruling, which imposed a 2.5-year prison sentence on HDP (People’s Democratic Party) MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu on fabricated allegations of “terrorism”.
The KKE demands an immediate end to the unacceptable political persecution of Omer Farouk Gergerlioglu, other HDP MPs, and representatives of other political and social organizations.
We express our solidarity with the struggling people of Turkey, who are fighting for their social and political rights, for peace in the region, against the interests of the bourgeoisie and against imperialist plans.”
March 18, 2021 – Link: www.kke.gr
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INTERNATIONAL: Progressive International
“A motion has been filed with Turkey’s Constitutional Court to ban the entire Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). We call on progressive forces around the world to mobilize in their defense — and resist Erdoğan’s authoritarian rule. “
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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SWEDEN: Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs
“Deeply concerned about measures against the political opposition and its representatives in Turkey, including requests to dissolve HDP, and the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of MP Gergerlioglu.”
18 March, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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GREECE: Alexis Tsipras, the leader of SYRIZA
“I express my full solidarity with Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu of and HDP. More important than ever to protect freedom of expression, parliamentary democracy and human rights, in Turkey and wherever they are undermined.”
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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SWITZERLAND: Balthasar Glättli, the president of the Green Party of Switzerland
“The repression in Turkey has reached a new, terrible level. Swiss parliamentarians show solidarity with the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) in their fight for peace, democracy and the rule of law!”
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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GERMANY: Gökay Akbulut, Member of the Bundestag Left Party
“The ban on the HDP is an attempted coup and must be stopped.”
March 18, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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SWITZERLAND: Sibel Arslan, MP, Green Party of Switzerland
“#SolidaritywiththeHDP from the Swiss parliament“
March 18, 2021, Source: Twitter
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BELGIUM: Samuel Cogolati, Member of Parliament, ECOLO
“The efforts to ban the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Turkey’s third largest democratic party, and to strip its members of their parliamentary seats, are gravely undermining democracy in Turkey. As democrats, we cannot remain silent and we will always support a free, peaceful, democratic and pluralist society in Turkey. In order to respect the votes of milllions of Turkish citizens, the second largest opposition party should of course be able to participate in the political life of Turkey.”
March 18, 2021
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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Andreas Schieder, François Alfonsi, Nikolaj Villumsen, Co-chairs of the Kurdish Friendship Group
“Turkey under Erdogan is increasingly becoming a dictatorship
We, the Kurdish Friendship Group in the European Parliament condemn the ban proceedings against the HDP parliamentary party in Turkey strongly. After the scandalous impeachment of Kurdish mayors, Erdogan now wants to ban a democratic party for which millions of people have voted. This is both unlawful, undemocratic and a violation of civil and political rights. And this would be the final step towards dictatorship and the end of Turkish democracy.
The opposition party HDP has long been a thorn in the side of the Turkish president. For four years, the former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been innocently in prison, like so many opposition members, members of parliament, mayors and journalists. In the EU Parliament we are on the side of the progressive forces in Turkey, which urgently need our support in the face of this new attack. The EU must act now and oppose this dangerous arbitrariness by Erdogan, before the last spark of Turkish democracy has burned out.”
March 18, 2021
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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: The Left in the European Parliament
“…We, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and we, members of the European Parliament, emphatically condemn the new brutal attempts of the Turkish authorities to lift the immunity of parliamentarians of the elected opposition and to eventually close the HDP, third largest group in the Turkish Parliament, as a party. All these attempts go against the fundamental rules of democracy, to which Turkey has obliged itself when becoming a member State of the Council of Europe…”
March 18, 2021 – Please find the full statement in English
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AUSTRIA: The Greens
Austrian Greens are in solidarity with Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
March 18, 2021 – Please find the full statement in German
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AUSTRIA: The Social Democratic Party of Austria
The Social Democratic Party of Austria stands in solidarity with Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
March 18, 2021 – Please find the full statement in German
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GERMANY: The Board of the German-Turkish Parliamentary Group of the German Bundestag
The full statement of the Board of the German-Turkish Parliamentary Group of the German Bundestag can be found in German here.
March 18, 2021 – Source: www.bundestag.de
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GERMANY: Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, Co-chair of the Left Party (Die LINKE.)
“I don’t want to hear any more empty phrases from the German government about the impending HDP ban. Any further deal with Erdogan from now on is an open blow against democracy in Turkey. Now consequences are needed. Now the point is reached. Does the SPD see it that way, too?“
March 17, 2021 – Source: Twitter
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SWITZERLAND: Carlo SOMMARUGA, Senator, President of the Swiss Parliamentary Group of Friendship with the Kurdish People
“I am extremely shocked by this lifting of the immunity of our parliamentary colleague Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu. Once again, the parliamentary majority of the Turkish Parliament is showing itself to be in thrall to a president who tramples on democratic values. Please pass on my messages of solidarity to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu and to all members of the HDP parliamentarians. With solidarity”
March 17, 2021
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FRANCE: French Communist Party
French Communist Party stands in solidarity with Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
March 17, 2021 – Please find the full statement in French
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SWITZERLAND: Roger Nordmann, MP, President of the Socialist Group (SP) in Parliament
“Solitarity with #SolidarityWithGergerliogluAndHDP, HDP MP in Turkey. Respect for democratic elections.”
March 16, 2021 – Source: Twitter