The national board of Solidarity with Kurdistan Norway released a resolution expressing support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which is contesting the upcoming elections under the umbrella of the Green Left Party, because of the ongoing closure case against the party before the Constitutional Court.

The resolution by Solidarity with Kurdistan Norway expressed their full support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), and other progressive forces running for election in Turkey.

“We pledge our support to HDP’s fight to defend the right to free political organization and their struggle against attempts at banning the party. The first leaders of HDP, Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ have now spent over 6 years in prison, faced with trumped up charges that carry the risk of life imprisonment. In addition, Erdogan and his regime are attempting to use the Constitutional Court in order to shut down HDP. Since 1993, Turkish authorities have closed down six previous parties that have worked for the rights of Kurds and other marginalized and suppressed groups,” said the resolution.

The Solidarity with Kurdistan Norway stated: “In other words, the Turkish election on the 14th of May represents a choice between two futures. On one hand, a future where the country abandons the last remnants of democratic rights in favor of a one-person state, and on the other, a future in which democratic rights, human rights and the development of the country in a direction where the rights of all people are prioritized. The last alternative will also allow Turkey to end the Erdogan regime’s expansive policy of war towards their neighboring states, and their violation of international law.”

The resolution pointed out that: “Erdogan’s ruling party, and their partners in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), function as guarantees for a continuation of the current politics of war and violation of minority rights. They have also led the attack on the independence of the judicial system, Turkey’s exit from the Istanbul Convention against violence towards women, as well as the imprisonment of journalists, academics and the political opposition. They are also the main roadblock standing in the way of reestablishing peace talks needed to give Kurds and other oppressed nationalities their rights as equal citizens in Turkey.”