The Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV), held a press conference to expose the human rights violations during the electoral campaign.

The press conference was held at the IHD headquarters in Ankara and was attended by the IHD co-chairperson Öztürk Türkdoğan and the TİHV Secretary General Metin Bakkalcı.

Türkdoğan said it cannot be stated that this election campaign was democratic, fair and honest, as far as sticking to legal and rights procedures.

Türkdoğan added that “of course, the presence of the OHAL (Emergency State) and other legal changes made independent observation even more important in the elections of 24 June 2018.”

Speaking about the death of four people attacked by AKP deputy Ibrahim Khalil Yildiz and his relatives in the district of Suruç in Urfa, Türkdoğan said: “The explanation and attitude of the Interior Ministry, is appalling.

It is clear that a minister acts as a militant of a party and not as the person who is in charge of ensuring the safety of the election. Indeed he actually became the main actor threatening the security of the election. It is necessary to draw this to the attention of the public. Clearly Minister Süleyman Soylu should resign.”

Many violations during election campaign

Türkdoğan stated that there were many violations from 26 April to 20 June.

“Violations include attacks and obstacles against civil groups as well as intervention and attacks carried out by the security forces and arbitrary reverting of decisions taken by civilian authorities.”

There has been no change in the attacks on political parties and their representatives, said the IHD co-chair, adding that “public officials did not fulfill their public duties.”

Call

Türkdoğan noted that for the democratic elections the IHD and the Independent Elections Monitoring Platform will conduct independent election observations in accordance with international criteria on 24 June.

He urged all voters to go to the polls and check for the safety and legality of their vote. Voting starts at 6 am.

Türkdoğan announced that on 24 June 2018 the IHD headquarters, branches and representative offices will be open and applications will be taken on whatever violation should occur.

HDP the most hit

At the press conference figures were disclosed about the alleged violations against political parties, members and executives registered between 28 April and 21 June 2018.

HDP: 93 attacks

İYİ Party: 12 attacks

CHP: 12 attacks

Saadet Party: attacks

AKP: 2 attacks

MHP: no attacks

The report also counted the aggression on party people and members:

Urfa/Suruç: 4 dead (1 AKP, 3 HDP)

HDP: 49 aggressions and wounded

İYİ Party: 24 aggressions and wounded

Saadet Party: 5 aggressions and wounded (2 people seriously wounded)

CHP: 8 aggressions and wounded

AKP: 3 aggressions and wounded

Independent: İzmir independent candidate Deniz Arık Binbay was assaulted

Total: 4 dead in 90 aggressions and wounded

HDP members tortured

According to the report a number of harassment and torture were registered, namely: 26 HDP, 2 Saadet Party. Of those taken into custody, 33 members of the HDP have denounced torture and harassment.

The balance sheet for people detained is as follows:

HDP: 361 taken into custody, 13 remanded in custody

AKP: 9 taken into custody

MHP: 6 taken into custody, 2 remanded in custody

11 people working for independent candidate Mahmut Konuk were taken into custody

Total: 387 taken in custody, 15 remanded in custody

The report finally notes that the number of meeting and rallies prohibited was as follows:

HDP: 17

CHP: 2

IYI Party: 2