Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-President evaluated recent political developments during the HDP group meeting in the Turkish parliament.

Administrators from unions such as KESK, Eğitim-Sen and Tüm-Bel Sen as well as Lisa Çalan, a survivor of the attack on the HDP rally in Amed on June 5, 2015, attended the HDP group meeting in Ankara.

MOSUL OPERATION

Demirtaş stated that tens of thousands of people died during the ISIS occupation of Mosul two years ago, and more people will died during the war in the city now. Demirtaş emphasized that more war will bring instability to the region, and said that Turkey has to develop different policies regarding Syria, Iraq, Rojava and Egypt.

HDP Co-President described Erdoğan’s policies in the region as racist and chauvinist, and said that statements such as ‘Mosul is ours, Mosul is Turkish’ reflect the racist nature of Erdoğan’s policies. He criticized the AKP government’s foreign policy over the past 14 years, and said that Erdoğan’s insistence on Mosul shows that Turkey is out of the equation in Iraq.

Selahattin Demirtaş criticized Turkey for making alliances with groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS, and said that Turkey is known as the supporter of ISIS in many parts of the world. He emphasized that Turkey would have had more influence in Syria and Iraq if it had sided with the PYD and the PKK, which would also help win the confidence of its own 20 million Kurdish citizens and bring stability to the region.

Demirtaş pointed out that Turkey’s plans for Mosul only serve to manipulate its own public, and Turkey should first clear Antep of ISIS before talking about fighting ISIS in Mosul. Demirtaş underlined that peoples fight against ISIS brutality as the map of the Middle East is being redrawn, and wished success to Peshmergas in their fight against ISIS gangs.

SEIGE IN ŞIRNAK

Regarding the current siege in Şırnak, Demirtaş said “Şırnak has been wiped off the map. We offered to build houses for the 400-500 families that live in tents at the entrance of the city but the Governorate rejected us. They have destroyed most of Şırnak and made deals with a private firm that confiscates peoples’ properties as part of this deal. They speak of democracy despite the ongoing barbarism. I call upon all honorable citizens to not stay silent and show solidarity.”

Demirtaş also addressed the people of Şırnak and promised them that the HDP would do everything to show that the people of Botan are not alone.

COUP ATTEMPT

HDP Co-President also touched upon the political components of the recent coup attempt and recalled that the people and soldiers that destroyed Cizre and Sur were arrested for being coup plotters. He said the AKP has been trying to take over Turkey under the pretense of fighting the coup attempt, but that it ignores the political components of the coup attempt. Demirtaş recalled that 80-90 parliamentarians are reported to have known about the coup attempt in advance, and asked how many of these were AKP parliamentarians.

Criticizing the AKP’s appointment of a pro-Gülen parliamentarian to the Coup Investigation Commission, Demirtaş said that the AKP has not touched the political wing of the coup attempt because this would cause a political crisis.

PRESIDENCY DEBATES

Commenting on Erdoğan’s presidency plans, Demirtaş stressed that democracy and peace should be on Turkey’s agenda as opposed to a presidential system. He stated that Erdoğan already has a de-facto presidency, and could be the official president of Devlet Bahçeli since the MHP leader has been supporting Erdoğan’s move for creating a presidential system.

EARLY ELECTION DEBATES

Regarding the debates on an early election, Demirtaş recalled the media censorship on the HDP and said that such an election would be unfair since the AKP uses state funds for its own election campaigns. Demirtaş condemned Erdoğan for portraying such elections as democratic, and called upon Erdoğan to end the state of emergency, reopen the TV channels that have recently been closed, and then hold an election.

TORTURE IN PRISONS

Lastly, HDP Co-President emphasized that heavy torture and human rights violations have become daily practices in Turkish prisons, and condemned the Justice Minister for encouraging torturers by suggesting that there is no torture in the country.