After failing to achieve their desired results from the elections, the AKP has thrown Turkey into a spiral of violence. Out of fear of losing power or worse still, being held accountable for their deeds, the AKP has cast Turkey into an inferno. However, realizing that they will not be able to achieve their desired results in the November 1st elections either, there has been an exponential increase in violence and violations of rights.
Curfews have been declared in cities and towns everyday under the pretense of public safety and protection of property, however, in actuality, state practice in these locales has violated all basic human rights, especially the right to live. The incidents of the past week in Cizre could not be concealed from the Turkish public despite the state’s efforts to obstruct investigation. The news of the 23 civilian deaths and the images of houses ruined by mortar fire have circulated among the people. This is due in large part to the efforts of the people of Cizre, the journalists and our MPs who remained in Cizre despite the curfew and risked their lives to share the reality of what was happening with the people of Turkey.
The AKP’s greatest fear is that people should be confronted with the truth. Their biggest nightmare is that the people should realize what is happening. They have continued to do whatever is necessary to avoid the truth being brought to light without regard to national and international law. Our MPs in the region who are observing and documenting violations of human rights and due process have been targeted by police and gendarmerie forces acting as the AKP’s own law enforcement.
It is utterly scandalous that the committee consisting of our co-chair Selahattin Demirtas and our MPs were unable to enter Cizre in order to observe what was happening on the ground. The committee was prevented from entering Cizre by physical force. It is was clear that such great crimes were being committed by the state in the name of the curfew that they had to be concealed from its own elected officials. In the aftermath of the curfew, the images that were produced revealed what they were trying to conceal.
The audacity of the AKP’s police reached new heights as our MPs were directly targeted.
After the curfew was declared in the town of Sur, the police attacked the people of Diyarbakir who wanted to enter the town to prevent civilian casualties. Our Diyarbakir MP, Cağlar Demirel, who was in the crowd, was also attacked by the police. As a result of this deliberate and targeted attack by the police, our MP’s foot was wounded and he was taken to hospital.
Around the same time in Galatasaray Square, the police, while interfering with the press statement by the Peace Bloc, an initiative that came together for peace and brotherhood against all the incitements to war, targeted our MPs in particular. In this attack, our Antalya MP was targeted and wounded with three gas canisters shot at his back.
We strongly condemn the repression and attacks by the police and gendarmerie. We demand that the responsible parties be suspended from their positions and all necessary executive and legal steps be taken.
The silence of the head of parliament during these events, as members of parliament were beaten, attacked and wounded, is acause of grave concern to us. Since this silence indicates his tacit approval of this lawless situation, we invite him to take a clear stance against the repression and attacks against the members of the parliament of which he heads.
The real aim behind targeting our MPs is to intimidate our people . In spite of all the attacks and repression, one thing should be known: our party the HDP will continue to raise a voice of peace and brotherhood. No form of pressure will sway us from this path. The HDP’s march of peace, freedom and brotherhood will continue with the same determination.
İdris Baluken & Pervin Buldan
HDP Group Deputy Chair
September 14, 2015