Protests against the usurpation of the municipalities of Mardin, Batman and Halfeti from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) continue. A public meeting and march was organised in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari with the participation of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır and representatives of civil society organisations and political parties and hundreds of residents.

Speaking in the city centre after the march, Bayındır stated that the people of Yüksekova have never succumbed to persecution and said, “Our people have been resisting this persecution for 5 days. Kurds and their friends are on the streets against the usurpation of will. Our people do not and will not accept the usurpation of the Kurdish people’s will. With this oppressive policy, they think that they will make the struggle of the Kurdish people regress. If your goal is to bring the Kurdish people to their knees, go home. You will never bring this people to their knees. The government is hostile to all those oppressed. We saw this once again in Esenyurt. This government persecutes all peoples. As you attack the will of the Kurdish people, the Kurdish people will respond much more strongly. The Kurdish people will not submit to your oppression.”

Stating that the Kurdish question can only be resolved under the leadership of Abdullah Öcalan, Bayındır said, “It is not a hand of brotherhood and peace they extend, but a hand aimed at breaking the will. This people will protect their will and honour. We have never let Ankara trample on our honour until today, and we will not let it do so. Stop attacking the will of the Kurdish people. Is there anyone left who has not been investigated because of your persecution? These investigations show how oppressive you are. There is talk about resolving the Kurdish question. The solution to the Kurdish issue has a clear path and address. No one can draw a border on this path. For 100 years this problem has been going on. On the one hand, you say you will resolve the problem, on the other hand, you attack the values of our people. We do not accept this hypocrisy. The solution to this problem lies with Mr Öcalan. This issue can only be solved under the leadership of Mr Öcalan. Therefore, give up these dirty policies and open the doors of İmralı. Abandon your trustee policies so that a solution can be put forward.”

Remarking that the Kurdish people are not alone and have the support of millions, Bayındır said, “This struggle is legitimate. We will definitely send away these oppressors who try to trample our will. We will resist until victory.”