Swedish Teachers Federation's Stockholm Branch International Releations Secretary Anders Johansson criticized the increasing attacks against the HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) before the local elections scheduled for March 31.

Johansson pointed out that the Erdoğan regime was arresting party officials and members to prevent the work of the HDP before the local elections.

“The situation in Turkey is getting worse every passing day. Human rights and democracy have been completely crushed,” said Johansson, stressing that they will continue to cooperate with HDP politicians, academics and teachers who resist the attacks of the Turkish state.

Johansson is also a member of the Committee to Promote Human Rights in Turkey that operates under the roof of the Swedish Parliament.

The Committee works in close cooperation with Turkey’s Human Rights Foundation, said Johansson, adding: “The Turkish state has intensified repression and attacks against human rights defenders and the opposition. A few years ago, human rights organizations were publishing a one-page human rights violations reports per month, but now they publish reports almost once every two days to expose heavy torture and harassment.

Johansson expressed his solidarity with HDP MP Leyla Güven and all the prisoners and activists who are on hunger strike demanding the end of isolation against Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.