HDP marks fourth anniversary of its leaders' imprisonment: 'They've been held hostage'

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Former co-chairs, executives and MPs from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have sent messages on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of their imprisonment.

The party has published the messages from its former co-chairs, Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, and lawmakers, Çağlar Demirel, İdris Baluken, Gültan Kışanak, Sebahat Tuncel and Abdullah Zeydan.

Başak Demirtaş, the spouse of Selahattin Demirtaş, also released a video message on Twitter after visiting him at the Edirne Type-F Prison.

Demirtaş: They are on the verge of failure

"Those who have us kidnapped, imprisoned and taken hostage with raids in our homes, are on the verge of failure. They are in a total disintegration and dissolution process. Their dreams to destroy the HDP have become a nightmare. What had we said? 'We are hard nuts to crack, as you chew us, your teeth will break.' And today is that day. We are resisting, succeeding and prevailing because of that," said Selahattin Demirtaş.

In a video she posted after visiting her spouse, Başak Demirtaş said, "Four years ago today, Selahattin and his friends were all but kidnapped in a midnight operation and taken hostage."

"Maybe injustice and unlawfulness have continued to increase since the first day. Maybe they are still holding them hostage but they couldn't make them surrender, they won't.

"Selahattin and I get our strength from our love, righteousness and your love and support for us. With this strength, we will continue to fight against all kinds of oppression with great morale and resilience until the days when we can embrace free tomorrows and our loved ones. And of course, we will never give up. Greetings and love to all."

"The HDP is standing tall"

Former co-chair Yüksekdağ said, "Our dear people, attacks against our party, which represents the hope and resilience of peoples, women, humanity, are continuing every day, becoming even dirty and rough. But, of course, our truth is not leaving the path of hope and resilience, no matter what happens. Those who thought they could beat, destroy os four years ago on November 4 were wrong, they have failed, they won!t succeed. The day is the day to embrace the HDP and our historical righteousness and strengthen our unity and solidarity."

Former MP Zeydan said HDP stood tall despite oppression, thanks to the sacrifices made by the people. It would continue to strive for the honor and freedom of all the peoples, especially the Kurdish people, he added.

Former MP Demirel said, "It's been four years! What has changed in Turkey? Oppression, assimilation, arrests have increased. Actually, we have always said November 4 was a political coup. This political coup continues. It's clear that the solution is democratic politics and the free expression of peoples, identities, thoughts. The problem will not be solved with arrests and hostages. It is only possible with the recognition of the democratic will of the peoples and a solution process."

Former Diyarbakır Mayor Kışanak said that the "fascist practices" in the last four years were not only the problem of the Kurdish people but all peoples of Turkey. Every political party that believes in democratic politics should take a clear stance and establish "a strong line of struggle," said Kışanak. "We are held as political hostages. But I would like to make it clear once again that we have not bowed to fascism, we will not!"

Former MP Baluken said that the "November 4 coup" was a milestone for the political, social, legal and economic collapse that the country is experiencing today. He expressed his belief for a "bright tomorrow."

Former MP Tuncel also said that the political and economic crises had deepened since the operation against the HDP. "Now is the time for freedom and it is more important than ever to build the future by organizing freedom." (AS/RT/VK)