Selahattin put HDP Majors & MPs at risk of imprisonment

[Anthea]

HDP visits Left Marxist Party
aiming for democracy alliance

HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Mithat Sancar, Party Spokesperson Ebru Günay, deputy Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan and MP Semra Güzel paid a visit to the Left Party on Thursday as part of the party’s ‘Justice for All Campaign’

'WE DEBATED OVER DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE'

Sancar made a statement after the meeting with a delegation of the Left Party which included the members of board of presidents Önder İşleyen and İlknur Başer and central executive board members Mehmet Soğancı and Ozan Sürer.

"During our visit to the Left Party, we told them about our program. We gave information about our previous contacts and listened to them. Of course, the question how we can form the broadest democracy alliance was the question on the agenda. As we always say, the goal is not an electoral alliance, but a democracy alliance through which we can create methods and mechanisms of struggle together in every field where injustices are rampant.”

'WE NEED TO STOP THE WAR POLICY'

Sancar continued, “Turkey is experiencing very serious injustices. The current government has relied on policies of polarization, escalation and conflict in order to survive. It is extremely important for us if the forces that support democracy and justice take a determined stance on these matters. We need to be able to form a common peace struggle against war policies. The government constantly uses fake news to fuel war policies. We must defend the truth together against lies. We have to keep searching for the truth constantly.”

'WAR BRINGS POVERTY'

The co-chair of the HDP pointed out the following: “We see that there is a direct link between war policies and poverty. Unemployment and poverty have hit record low levels. The struggle for democracy cannot be separated from the struggle for peace and the struggle for justice from the struggle for truth."

Stating that they also exchanged views on the new constitution debate, Sancar said, "We also learned that the Left Party will have meetings with the other political circles in the coming days. Our attitude on this issue is clear. We revealed our views yesterday in a meeting we held with the heads of the Alevi institutions. Previously we had explained our views on it. We have also exchanged our views with the Left Party.
................................................................................................

Sol Parti is a Marxist party

When will the stupid leaders of the HDP get it through their thick heads:

There is a WORLD WIDE trend for countries to move away from communism and accept a much more Liberal ideology

If the HDP truly wish to do their best for the Kurdish population then they MUST do away with their outdated Marxist ideology

Also, the HDP should realise that most Kurds who voted for them did NOT vote for Marxism, they voted for fellow Kurds who they hoped would be able to win them some semblance of FREEDOM

[Anthea]

Turkish court upholds jail sentence

A top Turkish court on Friday upheld a two-and-a-half year jail sentence for a parliamentarian from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) accused of making propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The outspoken lawmaker recently revealed the controversial use of strip searches in Turkish prisons

Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, HDP lawmaker and human rights activist, was sentenced to two years and six months on February 21, 2018 for an August 20, 2016 tweet sharing a news article about a PKK statement that said “peace would come if the government takes one step forward.”

Gergerlioglu shared the article with a comment: “This call should be evaluated properly. There is no end to this work,” referring to the decades-long conflict between Ankara and the PKK.

Nearly half a year after the court decision, Gergerlioglu was elected to the parliament on the HDP ticket.

He appealed the conviction of “making propaganda” for the PKK, and on Friday an upper court upheld the verdict, reported state-owned Anadolu Agency.

The court said that Gergerlioglu’s tweet “used the photograph of the armed members of the organization and it included expressions that justify the organization's methods that include coercion and violence.”

The PKK is an armed group struggling for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey. It is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara. Scores of HDP members and officials have been removed from office, and some arrested, for alleged links to the PKK. Turkish officials claim the HDP is the political wing of the PKK, but HDP denies this.

Tweeting after the court ruling, Gergerlioglu said, “The oppressors have not elected me so they cannot end my parliamentary membership.” He shared the same news article again, saying “I had only shared a news article. I did not praise any sort of violence.”

Gergerlioglu was the first person to report the alleged strip searching of prisoners and members of their families visiting them in jail. Rights groups hailed his revelations, but he was handed harsh criticism from pro-government corners.

Ozlem Zengin, deputy head of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) bloc in parliament, denied the allegations.

“No parliamentarian terrorizes parliament as much as Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu. I categorically do not believe that strip searches exist in Turkey. Such a thing does not exist,” she told the Turkish service of Euronews.

Nearly 200 rights organizations and members of civil society from Turkey and abroad sent an open letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, expressing solidarity with Gergerlioglu and demanding an investigation into “inhumane” strip searches.

“MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, who brought the problem up in Parliament and made it public should not be subjected to serious accusations such as ‘involvement in terrorism’ only because he is demanding justice and protection of the innocent women,” read the letter. “The authors of this report would like to underline that we are seriously concerned about long-standing mass detentions and human rights violations in Turkey. Public officials are easily accusing human rights defenders and MPs of being ‘terrorists’.”

Spokespersons for HDP’s office for foreign affairs said on Wednesday that 139 of their members and officials were arrested this week as part of a campaign of mass arrests by Turkish security forces that resulted in the arrest of 718 people for alleged ties to the PKK.

Almost all of the party’s mayors elected in 2019 have been removed from office and some of them arrested.

Summaries of proceedings have been prepared against nine HDP lawmakers, including co-chair of the party Pervin Buldan and former co-chair Sezai Temelli, the independent Duvar news outlet reported on Friday.

The Turkish public prosecutor claimed it has evidence these parliamentarians "had taken an action in terms of starting and continuing the violence-related events," referring to widespread protests in 2014 over Turkey’s inaction when Syrian Kurds were being attacked by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Kobane.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... y/19022021

[Anthea]

The HDP is banned in Van

Following the 15 July 2016 coup attempt the Turkish state declared a State of Emergency (on 20 July that same year). During the state of emergency, which lasted until 20 July 2018, HDP and DBP provincial buildings were raided 3 times. Provincial co-mayors Ökkeş Kava, Caziye Duman and Murat Sarısaç were arrested

Immediately after the announcement of the end of the State of Emergency, the Van Governorate declared a 15-day ban on all actions and activities. Supposedly a temporary measure, these 15-day bans never ended and have been extended for about 5 years. Since 2018, the Governorship of Van itself announced to have extended the ban on actions and activities 63 times.

Van Governor M. Emin Bilmez said the reason for these bans were the news published in Fırat News Agency (ANF). In parallel with the statement of the Governor, a police station was opened next to the HDP, whose hundreds of members have been detained by police several times in 5 years. At the entrance of the building, heavily armoured police panzers, listening devices, black-glass police vans are ready.

Van residents who come to the provincial building are taken inside after passing through the police security check. Police helicopters are flying over not only the HDP Provincial building but over the entire Van throughout the day, TOMA vehicles are placed at every corner in the busiest streets of the city such as Cumhuriyet and Maraş.

Providing information about the repression, HDP Van Provincial co-chair Fikret Doğan said that they had difficulty understanding the ban imposed in Van for 1,500 days. The State of Emergency has been lifted for a time in Van, allegedly, yet martial-like provisions are applied.

The HDP co-chair added that "it is attention grabbing the fact that Van is the only city where such measures are imposed. It is forbidden for a political party to make a statement, hold a congress or rally. This ban is imposed on our party.

A police station was set up in front of the Van HDP building. Even when there is no action or activity, police vehicles are there on a 24 hours a day shift. Everyone who enters our party goes through checks. A psychological pressure is exerted.

This causes negative psychological pressure on our people. You cannot stop the demands of this people by pressure and intimidation. Despite all this, we really continue our struggle."

[Anthea]

Co-mayor of Sur prison sentence

Sur Municipality Co-mayor Filiz Buluttekin, who was replaced by a government appointed trustee, was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison for "being a member of a terrorist organization"

Amed's (Diyarbakır) Sur District Municipality Co-mayor Filiz Buluttekin, who was dismissed and replaced by a trustee appointed by the AKP / MHP government, was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison.

While Buluttekin did not attend the final hearing held at Diyarbakır 11th High Criminal Court, her lawyers Sertaç Buluttekin and Suzan Akipa were present.

The prosecutor, reiterating his opinion for imprisonment from the previous session, stated that Buluttekin participated in 42 actions between 2017 and 2019.

Claiming that documents containing propaganda were accessed in Buluttekin's home, the prosecutor stated that Buluttekin was a member of the Free Women’s Congress (Kongreya of Jinên Azad, KJA) which was closed by a governmental decree

Claiming Buluttekin received instructions from the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad, TJA) activists and committed the crime of "being a member of the terrorist organization" [referring to PKK] based on the statements of Firar, an anonymous witness.

"NO EVIDENCE"

Voicing their disagreement with the prosecutor's opinion, lawyer Suzan Akipa said that her client served as HDP Amed Provincial co-chair between 2017 and 2018, and later became the co-mayor of Sur Municipality.

Lawyer Sertaç Buluttekin stated that anonymous witness statements were taken illegally and said, “the statements of the anonymous witness are full of contradictions. We do not accept the opinion and demand her acquittal."

After a short break, the court sentenced Buluttekin to 7 years and 6 months in prison for "being a member of a terrorist organization".

[Anthea]

Motions to strip HDP deputies of immunity

Nine members of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) are threatened with loss of parliamentary immunity. Corresponding motions have been received by the Turkish National Assembly and referred to the parliamentary justice committee

The motions contain a summary of the alleged findings by the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office from the so called "Kobanê file" and are directed against the party’s co-chair Pervin Buldan as well as against Fatma Kurtulan, Garo Paylan, Hüda Kaya, Meral Danış Beştaş, Saruhan Oluç, Serpil Kemalbay, Sezai Temelli and Pero Dundar.

If the committee approves to lift the immunity, the motions will be submitted to the National Assembly for final decision.

The Kobanê File

A total of 108 people, the majority politicians from the HDP and actors from Kurdish civil society, have been charged for protests against the Islamic State siege of Kobanê in 2014. The General Prosecutor's Office is demanding life imprisonment for “destroying the unity of the state and the whole of the country”.

The defendants are also charged with 37 murders and dozens of attempted murders.

In addition to more than 2,500 individuals, a number of ministries, authorities and parties also appear as co-plaintiffs, including the Ministries of Interior, Justice and Defense, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family, the Central Authority of the Turkish Police, the Turkish Secret Service (MIT), Coalition parties AKP and MHP, the CHP and the Hezbollah-affiliated Hüda Par party.

Several members of the Executive Committee of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in South Kurdistan, including Murat Karayılan, Duran Kalkan and Cemil Bayık, are also indicted.

The 3530-page indictment used as evidence, among other things, reports on the political activities of the accused as well as their statements and interviews. A total of 413 pages have been devoted to our reporting. Another 62 pages deal with the “structures of the PKK / KCK”, on whose instructions the former HDP chairman Selahattin Demirtaş is said to have made several statements, including after a visit to Kobanê on September 30, 2014.

Background to the Kobanê protests

On the evening of 6 October 2014, the terrorist Islamic State succeeded in penetrating Kobanê city center after 21 days of resistance carried out by the YPG / YPJ defense units and the population of Kobanê. In view of the critical situation, the HDP had called on the public to protest against the Turkish government for an indefinite period of time because it did not end its support for ISIS.

Street battles erupted in many cities between security forces and paramilitary organizations such as village guards and supporters of the radical Islamist Turkish-Kurdish Hezbollah and the demonstrators. The number of people killed, most of whom were people who joined the uprising, fluctuated between 46 (IHD) and 53.

The government only speaks of 37 dead. According to a report by the human rights organization IHD, 682 people were injured in the protests. At least 323 people were arrested. In the course of the uprising, there were also arson attacks on shops and public facilities.

Trial to open in April

The date of the Kobanê trial has been set for 25 April. The trial will take place in the courthouse on the Sincan prison campus.

[Anthea]

Police close street in Van

The street where HDP Van Provincial Organization is located has been closed off by Turkish police



Nacibey Street, where the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Van Provincial Organization is located, has been once again closed off by the police with barriers.

In statement made on social media the HDP Van Provincial Organization stated: "Our HDP Van provincial building was once again closed off by police. Entrance and exit are prohibited."

The street where the party building is located was also closed off for a while with barriers last week.

[Anthea]

Posters of PKK leader Öcalan
found in HDP district branch

Posters of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan as well as material for terrorist propaganda were found in the pro-PKK Peoples' Democratic Party’s (HDP) building in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul

Click photo to enlarge:


Teams of the counterterrorism department of the police entered the HDP building after a search warrant was given by the chief public prosecutor’s office in Istanbul's Büyükçekmece district.

Following the investigation, posters and photos of Öcalan, 1,000 terrorist propaganda posters, magazines as well as books, DVDs, hard disks and laptops were found.

HDP Esenyurt heads Ercan S. and Dilan K. gave their testimonies at the police station for “making terrorist organization propaganda” and were released on conditions of trial without arrest.

“In none of the world’s democratic countries can this be allowed,” Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu tweeted together with a video showing the inside of the HDP building and the terror propaganda material seized.

He stated that the abuse of democracy is always possible and criticized Western countries for demanding that Turkey tolerate terrorist acts while they themselves would not allow such incidents.

Öcalan, who founded the PKK in 1978, was arrested in 1999 due to his role in the terrorist group's decades long campaign against for Kurdish Independence from the Turkish state.

The HDP has many times drawn ire for transferring taxpayer money and funds to the PKK, a globally recognized terrorist group. HDP mayors and local officials have been found to misuse funds in support of the PKK terrorist group and provide jobs to PKK sympathizers.

Speaking on the issue, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun tweeted on the same day: “Once again we see that HDP means PKK. What will those that form alliances with the HDP say in the face of this footage?”

Its mayors have also been accused of undermining municipal services, allowing the PKK to dig ditches in the streets and launch attacks on police and soldiers when the terrorist group adopted an urban warfare strategy in July 2015 and ended a two-year reconciliation period. HDP municipalities and their staff were also found to be actively participating in terrorist attacks launched after July 2015.

The party is also being accused of providing recruits to the terrorist organization by deceiving young people to join its ranks.

Several families have been participating in a demonstration in front of the HDP’s main headquarters in Diyarbakır for over a year, claiming that the party supports the PKK terrorists' recruiting and kidnapping of youth.

The Kurdish families' sit-in began as a reaction to the PKK, the terrorist group that recruited their children, and the HDP, a political party the families argue is allied with the terrorist organization.

[Anthea]

HDP TO CLOSE

Turkey's chief prosecutor files indictment for closure of HDP

The Chief Prosecutor at Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals filed a lawsuit at the country’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday for the dissolution of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), state media has reported.

The indictment by Chief Prosecutor Bekir Sahin said that HDP members have attempted to “disrupt and eliminate” the unity of the Turkish state through their statements and activities, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).

Sahin’s action comes amid calls from some members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to close the party.

The HDP is accused by some Turkish officials and politicians of being the political wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but the party has denied any organic links to the group. Because the PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Ankara, scores of HDP supporters, members and officials have been arrested on terror-related charges.

The lawsuit coincides with the expulsion of the HDP lawmaker Omer Gergerlioglu from Turkey’s parliament on Wednesday for a tweet he posted back in 2016.

HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar said in a party meeting on Tuesday that “we do not discuss neither the closure [of our party] nor the proceedings [against members],” adding that such attempts will not stop their struggle.

The HDP was formed in 2012 by members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP). Both parties consider themselves pro-Kurdish, and are still in alliance.

The HDP is seen as the successor of Democratic Society Party (DTP) which was founded in 2005 but closed by the Turkish Constitutional Court in 2009 for allegedly trying to divide Turkey.

Kurdish-focused parties like the Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP) and People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) have also been banned for their alleged links to the PKK.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /170320211

[Anthea]

Demirtas given fresh
prison sentence

An Istanbul courthouse on Monday sentenced jailed former co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) to three-and-a-half years in prison, according to Turkish state media



Istanbul’s Bakirkoy Courthouse sentenced Demirtas on charges of “insulting the president” in statements made in 2015, Turkish state media reported.

The public prosecutor said Demirtas’ remarks, made at Ataturk airport, “exceeded the limits of opinion, explanation and criticism” and “could not be evaluated within the scope of the 10th Article of the European Convention on Human Rights on freedom of expression.”

The prosecutor further added that Demirtas had “committed the crimes of "insulting" and "insulting the President" with a single action” in a statement targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then Prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Demirtas has been held in jail since November 2016 for his alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), considered by Ankara to be a terrorist organization. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has previously said that they did not find any evidence to prove the offences allegedly committed by the Kurdish politician.

He faces up to 142 years in jail on terror charges, often leveled against members of the HDP and supporters of Kurdish rights in Turkey

His party is regularly targeted by Ankara.

On Wednesday, Turkey’s top prosecutor filed an indictment in the Constitutional Court demanding a ban on the HDP. The 609-page filing from Chief Prosecutor Bekir Sahin claims that HDP members have attempted to “disrupt and eliminate” the unity of the Turkish state through their statements and activities. It also seeks to ban 600 HDP members from engaging in politics for five years.

Demirtas said the party will continue its struggle for democracy, even if shut down.

“Regardless of the result, we will never deviate from the path of democracy and peace. We will continue our struggle through the law and we will definitely win,” he said in a tweet posted by his lawyers on Friday.

HDP MP Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu was stripped of his parliamentary membership on Wednesday for a tweet he made in 2016, after being sentenced to two years and a half in prison in 2018.

Turkish police detained the MP in a raid early Sunday morning, only to be released later in the day.

“As of now I’m free,” he tweeted on Sunday. “I’m on my way to join the #Newroz celebrations. I might be detained yet again, but I will keep voicing the truth until my dying breath!”

Tens of thousands of people, mostly Kurds, took part in massive Newroz celebrations on Saturday and Sunday in Istanbul and the Kurdish cities of Amed (Diyarbekir) and Van. The crowds also carried HDP flags.

According to the Turkish online newspaper T24, four people were detained during the celebrations held in Istanbul's Yenikapi district for allegedly resisting police and another ten for “spreading terrorist propaganda.”

Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against HDP co-chair Medhat Sancar for his statements during Newroz celebrations in Amed for allegedly "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," Duvar news agency reported on Monday.

People at the celebrations chanted the name of the jailed “leader of the PKK terrorist organisation” Abdullah Ocalan, Anadolu Agency (AA) said on Sunday.

At least 139 HDP members and officials were arrested in the space of a week in February, in addition to 718 people across the country for their alleged links to the PKK.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /220320212

[Anthea]

I am not taking a step back

Drawing attention to the deep state’s agenda for 2023, HDP MP Gergerlioğlu said, “This is not just about elections. They are not planning a snap election. In their wisdom, they will put away the Kurdish issue and meet 2023 with a new understanding. They are building castles in the sky. They seek revenge for the past century through neo-Ottomanist policies. However, we say ‘Let's establish a new democratic state of law, bring democracy to these lands.’ That's our point

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu continues his ‘Justice Vigil’ at the HDP Headquarters after his parliamentary seat was removed on March 17. Speaking to the ANF on the 12th day of the ‘Justice Vigil’, the HDP deputy said: My parliamentary membership was revoked by a sudden decision which was politically motivated and did not have a legal side. A political purpose was fulfilled by using the law as an instrument. I had a case and was waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court. I am a member of the Human Rights Inquiry Commission and have been carrying out an effective opposition.

They were trying to paralyze us through various reports, investigations, criminal complaints, lawsuits and accusations. This is why my ongoing case was accelerated, a decision was made within a year and the Presidency of the Assembly read out the decision quickly. After the decision, I was removed from the Parliament and I will go to prison in a short time. The people see the fact that this is a political decision. Not even a single person nor a single lawyer can advocate this decision. We do not accept these impositions. We are still the deputies of the people and we continue our struggle against this usurpation and waylaying here at HDP Headquarters. I do not give up, I do not back down. I defend the rights of the people with great faith, love and enthusiasm. The people have entrusted us and we have to claim it."

THEY WILL NOT GET ANY RESULT

Gergerlioğlu recalled that a closure case was filed against the HDP after the usurpation of his parliamentary seat and both of them were done the day before the Congress of the AKP government partner MHP (Nationalist Movement Party). “Everyone is aware of the all-out attack. They have been conducting these attacks for years. The same cycle, the same results, the same story for years. The bullies continue anyway. They will not get anywhere, they will not get any results. Their continuation is just a huge waste of time for these lands.”

PLANNING BEYOND ELECTIONS

Gergerlioğlu continued, "This is not just about elections. They are not planning a snap election. In their wisdom, they will put away the Kurdish issue and meet 2023 with a new understanding. We know that this is just a dream, but unfortunately this is their mindset. When Bahçeli and Erdogan come together, this turns out to be their mentality. They are building castles in the sky. They seek revenge through neo-Ottomanist policies. However, we say that ‘Let's establish a new democratic state of law, bring democracy to these lands.’ That's our point."

MY GOAL WAS TO HIGHLIGHT JUSTICE

The HDP deputy underlined that he will not back down from his thoughts and that his party is always with him. He stated that they have received great public support and produced an effective politics in this process. The MP for Kocaeli province continued, “I see that the society has embraced our struggle and I continue to give my messages, although there have been repeated effort to discredit me by banishing me from the Parliament while performing my prayer in sleepwear. According to the notification I received, the deadline is this Thursday. I will give my last messages in a press conference at the party headquarters on Wednesday. Then I will wait at my home with my family. After all, I will not show any resistance because there is enforcement. They can pick me up from home. The aim of my resistance so far has been to emphasize justice. I will continue the Justice Vigil even if I go to prison. I will hand on the baton here and my friends will take over and continue."

OUR VOICES SHOULD BE RAISED

Gergerlioğlu added, “I want the society to continue with this method. They can carry out civil resistance against every injustice by hanging banners on their windows and by tagging ‘Justice Vigil’ on the social media. Currently people are afraid of going out, making a press release or protesting. The state is cracking down its citizens with all its arrogance. It designates people as terrorists, fires them and takes away their freedom. I propose a simple and civic method for everyone. Everyone should do what we do here, where they are, and our voices should be raised. I suggest this to society and politicians.”

[Anthea]

Turkish police detain HDP lawmaker

They came to arrest my father, Salih Gergerlioglu tweeted. According to Salih, his father was taken from his home in Ankara without being given the chance to put on shoes



The outspoken politician was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail in 2018 on charges of making propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in connection with a 2016 tweet about the how to peacefully end the decades-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state. A court in February upheld the sentence and Gergerlioglu was stripped of his parliamentary immunity last month.

This week, the Constitutional Court rejected a bid from Gergerlioglu to restore his parliamentary seat. The court said it lacked jurisdiction.

According to his son Salih, Gergerlioglu was taken to hospital after his arrest, with complaints of chest pains.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /020420211

[Anthea]

Europe acts hypocritically

Bellow is an excerpt which evaluates the reactions in Turkey and Europe, in particular in Germany, to the case launched to ban the HDP

The opposition in Turkey

The HDP opposition in Turkey runs real democratic opposition and represents the rights and demands of women, youth and other social groups. The fascist regime of the AKP and MHP is clearly aware of this. For this reason, it is constantly attacking the HDP.

If the other parties, the CHP and the IYI party, were really doing their job as opposition parties, the government would not stay in power for another day. If all political parties came together and declared at a press conference that the AKP and MHP only represent their own interests, the government would be over. However, this is not happening, because there is no democratic culture in their political tradition.”

Afraid of the Kurdish question

The so called opposition parties are coward, especially when it comes to the Kurdish question and the democratization of Turkey. The HDP, on the other hand, is acting responsibly and courageously. That is why it is under attack on all levels. For example, Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu was most recently arrested. Gergerlioğlu is a person with dignity who defends human rights under all circumstances.

He was brutally taken from his home by a police officer whom he had previously exposed as a torturer. This fact is symbolic of this state. No one should be allowed to speak a single word against the government. Everyone should be put silenced. The HDP stands in the way of those in power. If the HDP is moved aside, the way will be clear. The resistance and stance of the HDP is very honorable and important in this regard. It should trust itself and continue with this attitude

The key position of the HDP

Ok added: “If the CHP and IYI party do not fight for real democracy, they will not get beyond their current state. They will never come to government. If they really want a change, they have to form an alliance with the HDP. Failing to do that, means their politics is a lie. Society in Turkey now knows that too.

The HDP is in a key position. As this is well known, a ban procedure has been launched. Hundreds of politicians are to be banned from political activity. Financial donations are to be stopped so that the HDP loses its influence. The attacks on the HDP will continue, our people should be aware of that.”

Discussion of possible alternatives

As to the talks about possible alternatives Sabri Ok said: “It is likely that the HDP will be banned. As recently in the Gergerlioğlu case, attempts will be made to send all politicians to prison and spread fear. The HDP is of course discussing internally about which alternative is possible.

Ultimately, the political path for the HDP will always be open, because it emerged from a political tradition that is backed by millions of people. It will find its own way. So far it has resisted and it should maintain this dignified attitude. The level of resistance determines the impact of the attacks taking place. At international level there are protests by institutions and individuals. This solidarity is important.”

German government calls on HDP to distance itself from PKK

The reaction of the states [to the closure case against the HDP] is different. For example, the German state recently issued a statement that was repeating the Turkish state discourse: The HDP should distance itself from the PKK, the statement said. Why is Germany doing this?

In reality, the federal government and the European states should be asking to Turkey this: Where are the politicians elected by millions of people? Why are they put in jail? All HDP-run town halls have been usurped, and trustees have been appointed everywhere. That is what the EU should ask. They should ask where all these people are. And of course, they should ask whether they were all terrorists? Europe is acting hypocritically and opportunistically

“Refugee card” played by Turkey against Europe

Ok said: “Despite the clear reality in Turkey, someone in Europe is still calling for the HDP to distance itself from the PKK. Behind it all stand dirty self-interests. At the beginning of the civil war in Syria, Erdogan said in a cunning way: 'According to the Ottoman tradition, we have opened the gates, all people can flee to us.'

Millions of refugees have gone to Turkey after this appeal. These people are now used as a card against Europe in an immoral way. At the slightest disagreement Turkey threatens to open the borders and send everyone to Europe. In the face of this threat, the EU and, above all, Germany are making all conceivable concessions. Their policies are determined by filthy interests.

These hypocritical and opportunistic politics no longer have anything to do with democratic values. It is not as if Germany or the EU would believe in the politics or the statements of the AKP. They make concessions for their own interests.

The future belongs to the Kurdish people

There are many reactions from institutions and people in Europe that we find very positive and valuable. The HDP should continue its diplomatic work intensively. It is even more important that our people continue to trust themselves and carry on their justified struggle.

We are talking about decades of experience and tradition. Without the HDP, Turkey's future looks grim. Everyone should act with this awareness. The future belongs to our people and the HDP. There is no other alternative

[Anthea]

Turkey's voters reject pro-PKK HDP

According to a survey from the MetroPOLL research company, voters are most unlikely to support the pro-PKK Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and are the least opposed to supporting the Good Party (IP)

According to the survey results shared by Özer Sencar, the founder of MetroPOLL research company, on Twitter, 28.7% of voters say "I will never vote" for the HDP.

This rate is 27.7% for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), 15.7% for the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and 3.7% for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The IP is the "least distasteful" party for voters with 0.8%.

According to the Diken news website, Sencar answered the question of whether these results would be interpreted as if the undecided voters would not vote for the AK Party or the HDP:

"No, one-third of the undecided voters are of AK Party origin (about 6%). Half of them continue to be devoted to President (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan. Especially 1.5% are strictly committed to Erdoğan. The most important result of this data is that there is very little opposition to the IP in society. (IP head Meral) Akşener's march to center stage continues. And if she can exceed the 13%-15% resistance line, this feature can turn into a great advantage."

According to a January survey by MAK Consultancy, the percentage of undecided voters passed 10% and the vote percentage for the IP is increasing, while the popularity of the MHP and the HDP is declining.

Despite speculation from opposition parties, Turkey is expected to hold its upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2023. So far, the AK Party has consistently denied rumors of early elections.

It has been three years since Turkey switched from a parliamentary system to the current presidential system after the majority of Turkish voters opted to create the new system.

Turkish voters narrowly endorsed an executive presidency in the April 16, 2017 referendum with 51.4% of the votes. The official transition to the new system took place when Erdoğan took oath as president after the June 24, 2018 general elections, where he won 52.6% of the votes.

https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/ele ... hdp-survey

[Anthea]

New party will carry
on Kurdish struggle

Facing the threat of closure because of its advocacy for the rights of Turkey’s Kurdish minority, the co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), herself under investigation for alleged terrorism links, said its members will not give up the struggle, even if the party is shut down

“Political parties are means or tools for political struggle. The important thing is to continue this struggle,” HDP co-chair Pervin Buldan told Rudaw English late on Saturday.

HDP was founded in 2012 as a pro-Kurdish leftist party. With a diverse group of candidates from devout Muslims, to minority representatives, socialists, and LGBT activists, HDP passed the 10 percent vote threshold and entered the parliament in 2015.

Selahattin Demirtas, the HDP’s former leader along with his co-chair Figen Yuksekdag, gained worldwide attention and was dubbed the Kurdish Obama for his eloquent speaking style and ability to energize voters. He brought the Kurdish issue into mainstream Turkish politics, running for president against Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The party acted as an intermediary during the peace process between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) between 2013 and 2015, short years of hope that the decades-long conflict that left tens of thousands dead might finally come to an end. At least 5,311 people have been killed since the talks fell apart.

Today, hundreds of HDP members and supporters are under investigation or in jail, including Demirtas and Yuksekdag. Most are accused by Turkish authorities of having ties to the PKK, considered a terrorist organization in Turkey.

“Prosecutors used a broad definition of terrorism and threats to national security and in some cases, according to defense lawyers and opposition groups, used what appeared to be legally questionable evidence to file criminal charges against and prosecute a broad range of individuals, including journalists, opposition politicians (primarily of the HDP), activists, and others critical of the government,” the US Department of State wrote in their 2020 report on human rights in Turkey.

In March, Turkey’s chief prosecutor filed a suit in the Constitutional Court seeking the dissolution of the HDP, which refuses to call the PKK a terrorist organization and has expressed respect for the ideology of Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s jailed founder.

The indictment was returned to the prosecutor due to “procedural deficiencies,” but the fate of the HDP remains unclear.

Buldan said the party will fight, using every legal and political means they can to prevent its closure -- and if they are shut down, another party will rise in its place.

“In the absence of the HDP, Kurds will continue their freedom struggle with even greater strength through another party,” she said.

For decades, Kurdish parties have been sidelined, prosecuted, and shuttered by the state. The HDP was formed by members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP). Both parties consider themselves pro-Kurdish and are still in alliance. The HDP is seen as the successor of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), which was founded in 2005 but closed by the Turkish Constitutional Court in 2009 for allegedly trying to divide Turkey.

Other Kurdish-focused parties like the Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP) and People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) have also been banned for alleged links to the PKK.

“HDP is attacked because it is now the largest party protecting Kurdish rights and freedom,” said Buldan. “We were not the first ones to be attacked, and as long as Kurds try to gain their freedom, these attacks will continue in various ways.”

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... y/11042021

[Anthea]

Cases against pro-Kurdish parties

The ruling AKP-MHP fascist government is trying to introduce new judicial reforms. However, it is also trying to close the People's Democratic Party (HDP). Many pro-Kurdish political parties had previously been closed. Yet, they returned to politics increasing their votes each time.

Lawyer Cebbar Leygara, who has been active in Kurdish politics for years, spoke to ANF about his past experiences.

Leygara stated that the reform rhetoric is not sincere and will only benefit the government. He stressed that the so-called reforms would not lead to freedom of expression, organization and democracy. According to him, the judiciary became politicized after the 15 July coup attempt.

“JUDICIAL REFORM IS NOT CREDIBLE”

Leygara pointed out that an independent judiciary is no longer present and the judges and prosecutors fear that they might be detained overnight. Moreover, lawyers who had served as a provincial chair or administrator of the AKP were made judges and prosecutors and these don't care about the core values of democracy.

“Trustees are appointed to political parties, foundations, associations or trade unions. Journalists and elected politicians are in prison. It is thus very difficult to believe the government's reform rhetoric."

“DEMOCRACY HAS 4 FUNDAMENTAL PILLARS”

Leygara continued; “Democracy has four cornerstones; constitution, law on political parties, election law and independence of the judiciary. Which of these exits in Turkey? HEP, DEP, ÖZDEP, HADEP, DEHAP and DTP were all closed. I took part in most of these parties as a founding and executive member and as a lawyer.”

"Political considerations were predominant in most of the closure cases. Although 25 years have passed since the closure of HEP ​​and DTP, the reasons cited for closure today are the same. When it is stated the Kurdish people exist, this is considered "separatism" and closure cases are introduced."

TURKEY'S DEEP CODES

Leygara said, "Justifications and discourses put forward to close Kurdish parties are against sociology, geography and our historical past. Kurds have been living on these lands for thousands of years.There are unwritten codes that established the Republic of Turkey; the understanding of nationalism that stemmed from the Young Turks movement and denial of all nations except the Turkish nation.”

"HDP IS OPPRESSED BECAUSE IT HAS GROWN STRONG"

"These are the main reasons for the pressure on the HDP. The development and strengthening of the HDP bothers them. The HDP can also play a significant role in the change of power in Turkey. HDP is the key party."

“TRADITION HAS ALWAYS PERSISTED”

Leygara noted that the social bases of Kurdish parties that were closed before such as HEP, DEP, ÖZDEP and DTP are still in existence. "It is not possible to destroy them. Whatever they do, geography, history and sociology have their own dynamics."

The HEP started with 4.2 percent in general elections. The HDP now receives 13 percent of the votes in the country. I would like to say this to the Constitutional Court and the government: do not ignore sociology and geography. There is a living history in this ancient geography. You cannot destroy it with the two lines of official writings you issue for neither emperors and kings nor Alexander the Great could destroy it."

“THEY VIOLATE THEIR OWN LAWS”

Leygara added, "They can only suppress the HDP, they cannot close it. For example, 687 people are facing the risk of being banned from politics must be sentenced in order for the party to be shut down. It is not legal to impose a political ban if they did not receive a sentence. Someone who is investigated cannot be banned from politics. The government acts contrary to its own laws."