Temelli to Erdoğan: We are here to stay, you are the one leaving!

Temelli underlined that it is Turkey and not only Mr  Öcalan to be under isolation.

-HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli was in Bitlis, Kars, Iğdir, Ağri and Tatvan as part of the campaign for the local elections scheduled for 31 March.

Speaking at a rally in Tatvan Temelli said: “All the people of Turkey will give Erdoğan the best answer at the polls. Kurds, Turks, Azerbaijanis and the other peoples will send you their strong message. We are here to stay - said Temelli - you are the one leaving!”

Referring to the State-appointed trustees and their policies, Temelli reminded that they have usurped the democratically elected co-mayors and added: “It is time to get rid of trustees. Tatvan has no trustee, but has been running by a municipality that is worse than the trustee. On 31 March we’ll get rid of the Tatvan Municipality as well.”

Temelli then presented to the people the HDP co-chairs candidates Serap Çakmak Genç and Habip Yeşiltepe.

Leyla Güven and hunger strikes

HDP's Temelli reminded that Leyla Güven is leading the struggle to break isolation and is now on her 119th day of hunger strike and her health is deteriorating quickly. “This deterioration - said Temelli - can result in irreparable consequences. That's why we cannot be late. We have to fulfill our responsibility. We must do our part and become Leyla Güven’s voice everywhere.”

The demand of the hunger strikers, said Temelli, “is very clear: Mr. Öcalan should be allowed to meet with his family and lawyers on a regular basis. Failure to fulfill this demand is to ignore the law and justice. We're not the only ones saying that. The Parliamentary Union of the Council of Europe confirmed this in its decisions, the CPT is working on these issues.”

Isolation will be lifted

Temelli underlined that it is Turkey and not only Mr  Öcalan to be under isolation.

“Since 2015 [when the government abruptly interrupted talks with Kurdish leader Abdullah  Öcalan] isolation increased - said Temelli - not just in Imrali but in the whole country. This has meant an increase in lawlessness and this lawlessness involved everything. Yes, when we look back on it today, we see that lawlessness has become the norm. This lawlessness has become so ordinary that it is no longer possible to speak of justice, judicial independence. Today, it is not possible to talk about justice in any living space. It is not possible to talk about justice in prisons. We are in such difficult conditions. In spite of this we will continue our struggle.”