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Supreme Court of Appeal Chief Prosecution has referred a writing to Democratic Regions’ Party (DBP) stating some of the articles of the party contradict constitution and laws. The writing noting that a party having bylaws and programs being against the independence and unity of the state is a reason to close the party has been perceived as a message to Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
HDP Vice Co-Chair and Adana MP, Meral Danış Beştaş, speaking to bianet said they haven’t taken the writing as a “message to HDP”, the by-law in question exists since the foundation of DBP and the warning is a “conjectural threat”.
Threat of closing the party from Supreme Court of Appeal
The writing included following statements:
“The introduction section of the party program expresses that its cause of existence is to form groups in line with understanding of self-governance for the solution of political, social, cultural and economic problems.
“The 2nd article of the program states that youth should lead in ‘formation of democratic autonomy’.
“The 3rd article which is about the Kurdish question expresses that Kurdish question may be solved by granting Kurds right to become a democratic nation and subsequently providing status of democratic self-government.
“The chapter about democratic Constitution says that different identities should be entitled to establish their own self-governments based on Citizenship of Republic of Turkey.
“These targets you mention in your party program obviously include provisions contradicting unitary structure of the state ensured by the Constitution”.
“Supreme Court of Appeal is a conjectural threat”
Danış Beştaş evaluating the writing emphasized that it is a threat.
“What is abnormal is that this writing was sent to DBP. We describe this writing as an illegal practice than a warning. DBP carries on with its activities as a political party doing politics.
“This writing being referred just because of the daily conjectural debates is a threat to oppress opposition.
“Party closures have never ended Kurdish question. New parties will be founded if required. However, doing same things over and over for tens of years is just a signifier of how deadlock policies are ineffective”.
Demirtaş had mentioned this possibility
The closure of HDP has been voiced more than once after June 7 general elections. “I’ve heard that at the special law bureau of Burhan Kuzu, who has been appointed as advisor to President a party closure preparation is being made to finish it by the end of this year if possible”, had said HDP C-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş.
Statement by the government
Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik had responded as following to the question as to whether HDP will be closed:
“We by no means favor closing parties. Political parties mustn’t be closed in order to protect civil political base. However, those political parties should pay the price if there is any among them going against legitimate constitutional order”. (EA/TK)
