HDP’s Bilgen: Turkey is a mafia state, not just a one-party state

HDP spokesperson said in a press conference that the AKP keeps targeting the HDP and its executives.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) spokesperson, Ayhan Bilgen held a press conference at party’s headquarters on Tuesday.

Bilgen said that although the elections have been held over a week ago, it is like they are still going on due to the psychological targeting of the HDP carried out by the ruling party.

"Of course, - said Bilgen - it is understandable that the parties criticize each other in the follow up to the election. What is not acceptable is that our co-chair Pervin Buldan is threatened and that our party is shown as a target through the media.” 

Looking at the messages given in a week, said Bilgen, “se see that this is not only a one-party state but a mafia state too.”

Interior Minister is a threat to the country’s security

Reminding the threats against HDP co-chair and deputy Buldan by the Interior Minister, Bilgen said that “it appears Minister Soylu is preparing the ground for new attacks against our party. It means that he will also assume responsibility for what will happen next.”

Underlining that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan should name ministers as soon as possible, Bilgen said: “The anticipation of being a minister is getting some people crazy. They have forgotten their duties, they are just thinking about the competition race for a minister chair. The president has not reprimanded the Interior Minister for the threats against Buldan.”

Reminding of the provocation in Suruç where AKP members killed three shopkeepers during the election campaign and which saw the direct cover up by the Interior Minister, Bilgen, continued: “There are 5 thousand children missing in this country. The Interior Minister has to explain who abducted these children and why they are not found. Securing everyone's right to life is the first responsibility for a government.”

Dirty tricks in the elections

Bilgen recalled the many irregularities and frauds which stained the 24 June elections. “There are serious issues with invalid votes. There are 118 thousand invalid votes in 26 thousand polling stations where we received zero (0) votes. Is this a coincidence?"

As to the possibility of early local election, Bilgen said this will be discussed by the party this weekend. “The reason for early elections is to ratify the will of voters as soon as possible, to shape politics accordingly, and if the concerns of local democracy are different the will of voters should be listened to and recognised. This lack of culture of democracy is to ignore local will."

State of Emergency: will it be lifted?

Speaking about the controversy erupted in the past few days over the State of Emergency (OHAL) Bilgen said: “The lifting of the OHAL would be extremely important for the economy and the law. But if the legacy of the OHAL would remain, i.e. if the OHAL-related legislation is not lifted, then simply lifting the State of Emergency will not bring any benefit. A compensation process must be shared with the public in democratisation and rights.”