HDP condemns attacks, holds Interior Ministry responsible

HDP Batman deputy said Interior Ministry should guarantee safety of election work.

In a written statement HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) deputy co-chair and Batman MP, Ayşe Acar Başaran, said that “our party is carrying out the work for the 24 June election in all provinces and districts of Turkey, villages and streets with enthusiasm and commitment. However, - she added - in some places we suffered attacks”.

Labelling the attack in Bolu as “deliberate”, Başaran said: “These attacks sometimes are aimed at preventing our party people from opening a stand, others the attacks and harassment come at the opening of an election office or at provincial districts offices”.

These attacks, said Başaran are carried out by “members or supporters of the parties in the AKP-MHP coalition; and sometimes these are happening under the eye of the police forces who actually support these people”.

Başaran said that “this situation is unacceptable. We are once again reminding the police forces, the civil authority and district governors: the HDP is a party that participates in elections with candidates in 87 electoral districts within the framework of law and the Constitution. Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş is the HDP Presidential candidate”.

Addressing the Interior Ministry, Başaran said: “The police forces and the Ministry of Interior are obliged to take measures to ensure that the election work is carried out safely. The ongoing obstacle against the HDP and the consequent impossibility to carry out our election work is the legal and political responsibility of the Ministry of Interior and its affiliated police forces”.

The HDP deputy reminded that “it is their task is to prevent attacks. It's not about getting together with the assailants and trying to justify their actions”.

In her statement, Başaran condemned and protested not only these attacks, but also the attacks against other democratic opposition parties from time to time. We emphasize - she ended - once again that we will initiate any suitable legal proceeding against those who do not take the necessary measures”.