Former HDP leader Figen Yüksekdağ, who has been a political prisoner in Turkish hostage since November 2016, spoke at the HDK (People's Democratic Congress) General Assembly in Ankara by telephone. For this purpose, the politician, who led the presidency of the HDP together with Selahattin Demirtaş until her arrest, claimed her weekly right to telephone calls in prison.

Figen Yüksekdağ in her speech welcomed all those present at the general assembly of the civil society organization HDK and said the following:

"We all strive to fulfill our tasks in the fight for democracy and peace. We're doing it in jail, you're doing it outside. I am firmly convinced that those who follow this path will succeed.

We have never forgotten that we are your companions. In the spirit we are with you together in the center of this struggle. Our hearts beat with you. The important thing is to preserve the totality. We will definitely succeed. Only those who fight can win. The winners have always been those who believe in victory.

Wherever we are, self-confidence is our strongest side. The HDK stands for our own strength. It is an organization for all the oppressed.

The fight of Leyla Güven

Leyla Güven has been on a hunger strike for a long time. She is strikingly fighting for an end to isolation so peace and democracy can emerge. This fight is led by a woman. All who demand freedom in prisons have joined forces to open the door to freedom. They are moving on an even more challenging path which will end up in victory. When we open the gates together on Imrali, we will have paved the way to peace and freedom in Turkey. In this spirit, I greet you all with love and respect.”