German MPs condemn the crackdown on HDP in Turkey

Deputies from the German Left Party, Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens issued a joint statement condemning Turkish government’s crackdown on the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

German Left Party MPs Gökay Akbulut and Michel Brandt, Greens MPs Canan Bayram and Margit Stumpp and FDP MP Bijan Djir-Sarai released a joint statement to condemn the increasing pressure of the AKP-MHP government against the HDP.

German parliamentarians raised concern over the Turkish government’s attempt to lift political immunity of 25 deputies, including 20 HDP, 3 Republican People's Party (CHP), 1 Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and 1 Democratic Party members.

The statement said: “The recent crackdown is politically motivated. We expect the current court decisions to be implemented in all cases. This includes the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) regarding HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş who has been wrongfully in prison since 2016.”

“About 5000 members and sympathizers of HDP have been arrested for political reasons in Turkey. Since the 2019 local elections, 48 ​​elected HDP mayors have been dismissed and arrested. We declare our solidarity with the imprisoned politicians."

The joint statement by German deputies stressed that, "Press freedom in Turkey is very seriously restricted. Hence, imprisoned politicians need strong international solidarity and more media coverage. As a leading member of the Council of the European Union, the Federal Government should increase its influence on Turkey."