HDP Co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ have written a letter inviting European Union institutions to protect democratic values and universal principles all together in the face of the recent developments and escalating conflict in the Kurdish region of Turkey. The letter is addressed to the President of European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk, President of European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker and Chancellor of Germany, Mrs. Angela Merkel.

The letter called attention to the war and conflicts taking place both in Middle East and Turkey that affect Europe directly, stressing that the humanitarian devastation caused by war and tragedies occurring as a result necessitates an effective cooperation of international communities.

HDP co-chairs remarked that problems that can be solved more easily by improving sincere co-operations of states and societies with regards to particularly fighting ISIL as well as similar terrorist groups and preventing the disasters that millions of people who were forced to become refugees go through.

The letter highlighted the followings; “The unsolved Kurdish question and abandonment of negotiation process, followed by the return to the conflict and security concept again bring out a serious instability and extremely severe humanitarian price in our country. In this conflicted environment, serious human rights violations and unlawful arbitrary practices have become an almost routine policy of the government.

In such environment, along with leaning towards the revitalization of Turkey's EU process, we have serious concerns that this process is being conducted with current political agendas in contradiction to the principles of EU. Especially the return of the refugees forced to immigrate to Europe back to Turkey or the issue of stopping the influx of the refugees in Turkey has created a public perception that the meetings you conduct with our government have evolved into a trade bargain.”

HDP co-chairs continued by drawing attention to the criticism being expressed more loudly over the increasing state of condoning the severe human rights violations in Turkey consciously and staying silent to all in order not to attract the reaction of Turkey's government.

“We are sure that it could be really effective to hear clearer statements and also a proper attitude from your side in eliminating the concerns on the issue that human rights principles, EU values or Copenhagen criteria have not and will not be turned into a "bargain" subject. Knowing that democratic values, commitment to the peace process and human rights principles are followed resolutely will help the society feel more secure.”

In this context, HDP co-chairs said they hope that some of the "bargain" interview news taken place in the press and also reports are not authentic, and invited everyone and the addressees to protect democratic values and universal principles all together.