HDP Congress opens in Ankara

HDP 4th Ordinary Congress has begun in Ankara Sports Hall. Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları greeted "all those who resist in the prisons of Imralı, Kandira and Edirne".

Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDP) 4th Ordinary Congress opened in Ankara Sports Hall. HDP deputy co-chair Azad Barış delivered the opening speech before the election of the congress presidency.

"We are carrying out a very important meeting today. - he said - In this important junction of history, we send our greetings from Serhat to Amed, from the Black Sea to Europe, Australia and all of Kurdistan. We salute all our comrades once more. We promise you that HDP will win, peoples will win."

Then the Congress presidency was elected. Deputies Tülay Hatimoğulları and Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki were elected as co-chairs of the presidency.

Deputy Tülay Hatimoğulları said: "We are holding our congress at a time when freedom in our country is bleeding. Poverty deepens. Violence against women is increasing. The mentality that deal with violence when it comes to the Kurdish question, also deals with violence in the Syrian war and the peoples. The remedy is a combination of democracy forces. It is the synergy it creates."

Hatimoğulları added: "Greetings to those who resist in Imralı, Kandira and Edirne and in all the jails of this country."

Mehmet Tiryaki stated that this Congress will be a "congress of hope and unity".

Delegates and guests held a minute silence for those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom and democracy. The congress continues with the speeches by the HDP co-chairs.