A PEN International delegation has met with a HDP delegation headed by HDP Spokesperson Mr. Ayhan Bilgen at the HDP Headquarters in Ankara today.

The PEN delegation expressed their deep concern over the repression of freedom of expression and the persecution of writers in Turkey. The delegation noted that the government abused the powers it has gained under State of Emergency laws to restrict the right to freedom of expression and media, to stifle criticism and limit the diversity of views and opinions available in the public sphere.

The PEN delegation stated that restrictions on media in Turkey were not new, yet emphasized that the breadth and scope of the crackdown on media freedom had intensified dramatically since the failed coup. The PEN delegation added that a widespread network of solidarity across the international arena had been formed and expressed its solidarity with the HDP against the attacks aimed at the party and its deputies.

The HDP delegation then presented a comprehensive file on recent developments in Turkey to the PEN delegation and discussed the problems, prohibitions and attacks the HDP and all democratic opposition currently faces. The HDP delegation also presented the PEN delegation with a translation of the short story titled ‘Halep Ezmesi’ that HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş wrote in prison.