Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chair Helene Flautre reacted to the police operations carried out against Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) members and executives in many city centers, particularly in Istanbul and Diyarbakýr.

Pointing out that the recent wave of arrests is an issue of deep concern in the EU, Flautre said; “The timing of the arrests is unfortunate for jeopardizing the political dialogue attempts that have most recently begun with BDP’s return to the Parliament. The massive detention and arrest of BDP activists will only strengthen the radicals who side with violence in the Kurdish issue.

Flautre remarked that the Kurdish problem can not be solved by military means and added; “The solution must be sought through a new constitution that will ensure security for the rights of all citizens and launch the process of a stronger civil and political dialogue as well as decentralization.