Our Co Chair Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş delivered a speech at the 2nd Congress of SYRIZA in Athens:
Kalimera (Hello)
Dear Prime Minister and Chairman,
Esteemed members of the council,
Faithful supporters of Syriza and participants,
I'm honored to be with you today in your congress. I've brought greetings and warmth from comrades supporting Peoples' Democratic Party.
Dear Comrades,
Greece, Turkey and other countries in the region are going through a difficult period. We are fighting to keep our people together against the globalized violence, hate speech and policies founded upon exploitation. We are paying heavy prices. In this fight, leftist-socialist entities have a responsibility to foster solidarity no matter where in the world they exist. As HDP, we can't have the luxury to shut our eyes towards the resistances around the world while fighting for freedom, democracy and peace in Turkey.
From Syria to Colombia, Palestine to Yemen and Tunisia, we have a collective responsibility in embracing peoples' struggle for freedom, peace and justice throughout the world.
Our people need leadership that promotes the spirit of solidarity. One of the most beautiful examples of this guidance is that people living in Greek islands welcomed and offered a seat at their table to helpless refugees. I hereby would like to express my gratitude to the people of Greece.
We are well aware of the responsibility of defending tolerance against hate speech, peace against violence, and more than ever, social justice against exploitation. It's time for carrying the heavy but sacred weight of defending freedom, pluralism and democracy without boundaries hand in hand, through these hard times.
Millions of people have attempted a struggle to migrate to safer areas after facing massacres and oppression, travelling through Turkey and Greece to reach Western Europe. Unfortunately, EU leaders have failed in this test. They still haven't performed any kind of leadership or guidance neither for their people nor for the conflicted regions. Unfortunately, the rise of the conservative right wing in most of the European countries is closely related to this mass migration crisis. In confronting such crises, we must base our foundation on progressive values of the leftist perspective and universal human rights.
We are aware of the responsibility Syriza has taken. During the most severe times of the economic crisis, Syriza has carried the weight of governing a truly independent and free Greece since January, 2015 (two thousand fifteen). We, as HDP, would like you to know that we stand by your side in your struggle for social justice and prosperity in these difficult times. We promise to increase our efforts for a closer cooperation and standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Greece on the rough road to social justice, freedom, and a lasting stability for the sake of the people.
We believe wholeheartedly that both the people of Turkey and Greece will overcome this difficult period, with this shared struggle on the pillars of solidarity, and will eventually achieve the social justice, peace and tranquility we all deserve. Let's cultivate our hope together, and build the resistance front against fascism and exploitation together regardless of borders.
I wish your congress will serve the best interest for Syriza and the people of Greece, and be a successful one for my comrade Tsipras and his companions.
Regards and greetings
Selahattin Demirtaş
HDP Co-Chair
October 13, 2016, Athens
