TURKEY
The Progressive Alliance stands in solidarity with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) against the ongoing political repression in Turkey. We strongly condemn the actions of the ruling bloc, which continue to undermine democracy and violate the rule of law. The excessive sentences of 400 years handed to 24 HDP politicians in the Kobane trial clearly show that judicial authorities are weaponized by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), for political interests. They aim to usurp the will of Kurds, leave them without representation, silence their voices, and ban them from democratic politics.
The local elections on March 31, 2024, were neither free nor fair. The ruling bloc strategically relocated security forces to shun voters in Kurdish regions before the elections and manipulated the results in several Kurdish-populated districts and provinces. Despite these actions, Erdoğan’s autocracy was challenged. We welcome the courageous stance of the voters, who insist on democracy through their votes. The repression of democratic politics is tied to the unresolved Kurdish question, which requires dialogue and negotiation — not isolation, imprisonment, and violence — for a just and peaceful solution.
We condemn the ruling bloc’s insistence on appointing trustees to stifle democracy. We express grave concern over the removal of Hakkari co-mayor Mehmet Sıddık Akış and the rejection of Viyan Tekçe as the newly elected mayor. The trustee practice is a clear attempt to undermine the co-chair system in Turkey and reverse the democratic mandate of the people, thus attacking women’s hard-earned right to participate in district and provincial governance. We support the achievements of Kurdish women and their dedication to implementing the co-chair system that upholds the values of gender equality.
We demand the reinstatement of the unjustly removed co-mayor of Hakkari and an immediate cessation of all physical and political attacks against the HDP, DEM Party, and other opposition parties and activists. We call for the release of all political prisoners and urge Turkey to comply with its international human rights obligations, including European Court of Human Rights rulings. Lastly, we call for an independent judiciary to prevent the misuse of the legal system against democratic forces and political opponents.
