HDP co-chair Pervin Buldan evaluated the recent political developments at the 3rd Ordinary Congress of Izmir HDP Provincial Organization.

Buldan stated that despite the deaths, arrests and deportations, they "did not step back and the struggle for freedom will continue."

Buldan said: "Everyone who lives here knows the extent of the attacks on this party. We did not submit to anybody and we won't do it."

Buldan added: "The AKP knows that as long as there is HDP, there is hope and courage in this country. Women have a chance to succeed. Young people walk confidently towards the future and our children have a future. People have faith in victory. The AKP's only concern is to end this hope and faith." 

Buldan said that the Turkish state does not want the Kurds to breathe, no matter where they are, and reminded of the invasion of Afrin and its aftermath.

Stating that the Kurds would never accept this, Buldan also underlined the isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said: "People went on hunger strike to end the isolation and to break it."

Buldan also said that "There cannot be the AKP in a new peace and negotiation process that can only be realized with the peoples of Turkey. It will be a process when those siding with peace and democracy, the people of Antalya, Izmir, Istanbul and Ankara will embrace the Kurdish people and progress with them. We believe this wholeheartedly. We rely wholeheartedly on the people of Turkey."