HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) co-chairs Sebahat Tuncel and Ertuğrul Kürkçü issued a written statement concerning the killing of  Reşit İşbilir and Veysel İşbilir by police during a protest at the destruction of guerrilla graves in Yüksekova (Gever) on 6 December.

Tuncel and Kürkçü gave their reactions to the killing of two Kurds in Yüksekova, saying that: "The AKP's cowardice is encouraging an alliance of uniformed and civilian bureaucrats and certain representatives of political parties who want to sabotage the peace process".

"We send our condolences to the families of  Reşit İşbilir and Veysel İşbilir who were shot by police while protesting at attacks on gravestones in Gever (Yüksekova)," HDP co-chairs said and remarked that: "While the forces of peace and democracy and the Kurdish people are doing their utmost to maintain the 'process of peace and resolution', the AKP government is constantly looking for excuses to avoid taking any steps. This cowardice is only encouraging those who wish to sabotage the process."

Tuncel and Kürkçü emphasised that they would not allow the process to be sabotaged or the good intentions of the Kurdish freedom movement to be betrayed, adding that they were struggling for a new Turkey in which a democratic republic would be established.

HDP co-chairs called on the government to prevent the destruction of graves that are considered sacred by the people, adding: "Do not transgress the beliefs of the Kurdish people and their respect for their martyrs. Listen to the proposals of the BDP and HDP regarding the acceleration of the peace process and democratisation, and do not evade taking the necessary measures to make Mr Abdullah Öcalan the chief negotiator. Those who open fire on those exercising their democratic right of protest must be immediately tried and convicted."