Former HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) Co-chair held hostage in the Edirne Prison Selahattin Demirtaş sent a written message through his lawyers for the 25th anniversary of the Sivas Massacre.

Demirtaş’s message is as follows:

“I salute all who came together on the anniversary of a barbaric event the wounds caused by which have not healed or the pain subsided. I salute you with respect.

FASCISM WON’T TAKE ANY STEPS

The wound opened on July 2 has not healed, because despite the 25 years that passed, nothing was done to heal it. This pain has not subsided in the slightest in the 25 years since, because no steps were taken to alleviate it. In these times when fascism is being institutionalized, we know that not a single step will be taken to confront and settle accounts with the past. But we are not going to give up the fight for justice, equality and freedom. We will continue to defend the rights of every person, every group who have suffered oppression and massacres in our country.

TENS OF THOUSANDS CAME TOGETHER DESPITE OPPRESSION

Despite all the obstacles and oppression, the tens of thousands of people who gather in Sivas every July 2 is the guarantee that one day the Sivas Massacre will be justly held to account in front of the law. I salute the families of July 2 martyrs, and all friends who show solidarity and act with consciousness, and I send my love and respect to all of you.”