Statement of solidarity and support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) by MPs of the Democratic Party in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the italian Chamber of Deputies;
we, the deputies of the Democratic Party in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, express our deep concern about the ongoing trial in the Turkish Constitutional Court concerning the closure of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
The banning of the HDP would mean a new serious violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, as the seven parties of the political tradition on which the HDP is based have already been closed down in the past. This would therefore be yet another violation of the right to political representation in Turkey, as the party democratically voted by millions of people would no longer be allowed to participate in political competition.
In keeping with the values that guide our politics, we express our full solidarity in defence of the existence of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). In its programme and policies, the HDP stands for a democratic and pluralist Turkey where people live in freedom and justice, for a society where equality prevails. Gender equality, respect for different ethnic and religious groups, and environmental protection are important aspects that your party stands for and that we feel are ours.
We demand an end to the current process whose exclusively political purpose violates the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). For all these reasons, we stand by your side and call for a democratic Turkey in which all political parties can be represented and carry out their activities openly.
Laura Boldrini,
Andrea Orlando,
Enzo Amendola,
Lia Quartapelle,
Fabio Porta.