An editorial in the Argentinian paper La Nacion, underlined the importance of the visit to the National Congress paid by HDP deputies Garo Paylan and Ebru Gunay.

The editorial says: “The HDP deputies described, from their respective perspectives (Paylan is of Armenian origin and Gunay of Kurdish origin), the complex political-social mosaic that reflects the difficult situation in their country. 

In the Assembly, the visitors warned about the need to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms in general and, in particular, those of ethnic minorities and women, in Turkey. In their message, they warned with concern that the same horrible genocide perpetrated against the Armenians 104 years ago could now be repeated against the Kurds.

We remind that our country has officially recognized the Armenian genocide, while the Turkish Parliament has so far maintained an unfortunate denialist position, turning its back to the truth and falsifying history. Furthermore, deputy Gunay was a time ago the legal representative of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.”

The editorial adds: “Suddenly, the HDP deputies had to interrupt their visit to Latin America following the dismissal of three HDP mayors from their post in the important cities of Amed, Mardin and Van, a decision which unleashed popular protests that were repressed by the State.

Once again, the denounces collected during this visit show the high share of intolerance that characterizes the authoritarian Turkish government, headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with the need to persevere in the defense of the rights of Kurdish, Armenian and Assyrian minorities residing in Turkey, a country whose leadership has not faced, let alone overcome, ethnic tensions, which should have been left behind long ago.”