Threat of dissolution of the Turkish HDP party is an unacceptable further democratic backsliding, says the European Green Party, calling on European heads of states to include the rule of law situation in Turkey to be discussed at the next CoE meeting.
On Wednesday 17 March, the Chief Public Prosecutor of Turkey’s top Court of Appeals requested dissolution of the HDP party. The fate of the party now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court.
“This decision is another blow, and a part of continued and continuous attacks from Turkish judiciary, against democratic political opposition. In a country where civic activism and free media have long been repressed by the government, this further sign of democratic and rule of law backsliding is unacceptable and must not be left unchecked,” said the European Green Party in a statement condemning the crackdown on the third largest party in Turkey.
The European Green Party calls for the request for dissolution of the HDP to be rejected; “We call for the Turkish government to respect party pluralism and democratic opposition forces. In particular, we call for the release of all prisoners of conscience.”
Additionally, the European Green Party calls on European heads of states to include the rule of law situation in Turkey to be discussed during the next European Council meeting.
Evelyne Huytebroeck, co-chair of the European Green Party comments:
“The relationship between Turkey and the EU must absolutely be based on core democratic principles: the respect for human and civil rights and the upholding of democratic and rule of law standards.
This authoritarian curtailing of a democratic opposition party has no space in modern democracies.
We stand in support to the HDP and to all democratic and civic forces in Turkey. Prisoners of conscience, like young green activist Cihan Erdal must be released immediately.”
Sinan Tutal, co-spokesperson of the Yeşiller ve Sol Gelecek (Greens and Left Future) party says:
“The situation is degrading fast for democratic opposition and activists. In the last days, several human rights and women’s rights activists have been arrested and detained for dubious claims. They are unfairly treated by the judicial system and are not granted the basic defense rights they deserve.
We will continue defending the rights of all activists and of all democratic opposition parties. Turkish citizens deserve the highest democratic and rule of law standards.”
