The international delegation sent by Podemos, Esquerra Republicana, EH Bildu and CUP to observe the regularity of the election process in Turkey and North Kurdistan issued a joint press release.

The statement said: “A delegation from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and Spain traveled to the country to monitor the electoral process from the city of Siirt, recently affected by the earthquake. The delegation was able to verify in situ the constant and harassing police presence both at political events and when voting at polling stations.

The very delegation that had the objective of certifying the electoral day, was questioned on Sunday by the Turkish police authorities and was detained for hours in a police station and forced to leave the country as soon as possible. The intention of the Turkish government to intimidate any verification at the international level of systematic violations of human rights or the democratic system was clear.

In short, Northern Kurdistan and Turkey as a whole are under an authoritarian and repressive government, which we hope can change after the second round, scheduled for May 28.”