HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli discussed the issues on the agenda at his party's weekly group meeting.

Temelli started his comments by saluting Leyla Güven, who has been on hunger strike for 69 days, and female politicians Sebahat Tuncel and Selma Irmak who have started an indefinite hunger strike today.

Isolation and Resistance

Temelli reminded that it is now 69 days that “Leyla Güven is on hunger strike, resisting with her body, to demand the end of isolation. Isolation is persecution and violence. Leyla Güven every day reiterates her call. Those who do not listen to this voice are bringing water to the mill of war-mongers.”

Referring to the meeting of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan with his brother Mehmet Öcalan on 12 January, Temelli underlined that this was a family visit. “This visit is a right that should be granted every week. It's a right that has been usurped all this time. Two and a half years later, it is presented as a blessing. The most basic right is presented as a blessing after two and a half years. We live in a country where the most basic rights are seized. In a country where isolation continues, the defense of rights is not possible. Today Imrali shows exactly how rights are violated in Turkey. Turkey is under isolation.”

International community: You must act

Temelli continued his words urging the international community to act. “Our comrades on hunger strike - he said - express a legitimate, justifiable demand; the end of isolation. Isolation is 20 years old. The isolation is a shame and we must save this country from this shame. For this is the resistance of Leyla Güven, her appeal to the truth. To save this country from isolation. If isolation is ended in Turkey the path to democracy and peace will be opened. You can't talk of a state where there is no law. Today, the state is in a major crisis and deadlock. The Republic of Turkey continues to commit crimes in violation of international and internal laws. The CPT does not fulfill its responsibility. The European Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the CPT, need to find a solution to this problem urgently. I reiterated this call once more. The High Commissioner and the CPT must act immediately.”

The solution lays with Imrali

Temelli also reiterated that the only solution to the Kurdish problem through democratic means lays with Imrali. “Mr. Öcalan is the first interlocutor for peace. Between 2013 and 2015, this state acknowledged this. However, after 5 April, they have been trying to kill the hopes of this country by implementing total isolation under the Dolmabahçe protocol. We won’t let this happen. I'm calling to the ruling power. Despite you, despite your protocol, the peoples of Turkey will have a democratic solution. Peace will dominate in this country. Therefore, to stand against isolation is the search for a democratic solution, the struggle for democracy and peace. This is what Leyla Güven tells us and why she invites us to this struggle.”

Temelli reminded that the actions prompted by Leyla Güven’s demand to end the isolation against Öcalan have spread.

He reminded that “Nasir Yagiz, HDP Erbil Representative, is on the 56th day of hunger strike. Nearly 230 of our comrades are on hunger strike in about 50 jails. More than a thousand of our comrades are on an alternate hunger strike in 130 prison. Leyla Güven is experiencing serious health problems. I appeal to all the people who side with democracy to speak out and act against isolation.”

Yüksekdağ is resisting

Referring to Figen Yüksekdağ whose hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, Temelli said: “Today there is a crisis of justice in this country. The judiciary has become a tool for politics. Figen is resisting. Today, our female comrades who are in prison are the victims of this male-dominant mentality.” 

War machine

Talking about Turkey’s foreign policy, Temelli said: "We've told you. Afrin is of its people. Syria is of Syrian people. We said: get out of there. We repeat the same words again. Get out of Syria. It’s not enough for the US to leave: all foreign forces should leave Syria, including Turkey.”

The reason behind the attack on Northern Syria, added Temelli, “is the war policies implemented by Turkey. The President admits this every day in his speeches. They live on the war industry.”

Local elections

Speaking about the local elections, Temelli confirmed that in 31 cities, candidates are chosen through public primary elections, while candidates for the other cities will be soon disclosed. 

"Every candidate we announced - said Temelli - be sure will win the municipal co-chair. Alliances we have established are crucial. Kurds in western Turkey will get rid of the AKP-MHP alliance. Democracy will increase our struggle for peace.”

Temelli ended his remarks by saying: “There is little time left. We are a party for democracy, for peace.”