International reactions to detention of HDP politicians

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The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has released a statement regarding the recent wave of operations and detentions targeting its Central Executive Committee members in 7 cities on September 26.

Noting that several messages of solidarity and support for the HDP are coming from several countries of the world, the statement has indicated that most recently, the Socialist Alliance of Australia and the Movement for Change from Greece have sent a message to the party.

HDP has shared the following messages:

'Manifestation of a campaign of suppression'

"Statement from the Socialist Alliance of Australia: The Socialist Alliance stands in solidarity with the People's Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey in condemning the anti-democratic attacks waged by the Erdoğan regime against the popular left-wing party.

"Arrest warrants have been issued for 82 HDP representatives in relation to a protest in 2014. It is a politically motivated attack, disguised as a judicial matter. Those targeted include parliamentarians, mayors and party leaders. It is just the latest manifestation of a long-running campaign of intimidation and suppression. We call on the Australian government to condemn the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms for this latest outrage."

'Rule of law is of no value to them'

Condemning the operations in a statement, the Movement for Change from Greece led by PASOK has also briefly stated:

"With the new detentions and repression against the HDP, it has been proven once again that democracy, human rights and the rule of law are of no value to the Turkish government and President Tayyip Erdoğan.

"Among the 82 people who have been taken into custody due to the events dating back to 2014 are HDP executives and former deputies, as well as Kars Municipality co-chair. Selahattin Demirtaş, the former HDP co-chair, has been unlawfully in prison for 4 years.

"As Movement for Change, we stand by the European socialists and democrats who indisputably condemn the authoritarianism and arbitrary practices of the Turkish regime. The EU cannot remain indifferent to President Erdogan's illegal practices.

"Turkey's democracy stifling restrictions imposed on the people of Turkey and the systematic disrespect of international law carried out by the government can only be stopped with sanctions."

What happened?

As part of an investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the Kobani incidents on October 6-8, 2014, detention warrants were issued against 24 former Central Executive Committee members of the HDP in 7 provinces of Turkey on September 26.

Following these orders for detention, Ayhan Bilgen, Alp Altınörs, Nazmi Gür, Altan Tan, Ayla Akat Aka, Emine Ayna, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Bircan Yorulmaz, Gülfer Akkaya, Berfin Özgü Köse, Dilek Yağlı, Can Memiş, Günay Kubilay, Bülent Barmaksız, Zeki Çelik, Pervin Oduncu, İsmail Şengün, Ali Ürküt, Cihan Erdal, Emine Beyza Üstün were taken into custody.

On the day of the operation, the detainees were taken from other provinces to the Ankara Security Directorate in the capital city. While they were restricted from meeting their attorneys for 24 hours, the HDP politicians started to meet their attorneys as of September 27.

While the names of Arife Köse, Yurdusev Özsekmenler, Bayram Yılmaz, Zeynep Karaman were also in the 24-person detention list, they could not be detained as they could not be found in their residences. (RT/SD)