An attack on Kurdish democratic rights

DEMOCRATICALLY elected Kurdish politicians are being stripped from office by Turkey and replaced with unelected state appointees. All democrats everywhere must raise their voices against this assault on democracy, voters’ rights and freedom of expression.

The Mayors of Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van provinces, all of whom secured large majorities in March’s local elections, must be reinstated immediately.

According to Human Rights Watch: “Erdogan’s government has effectively cancelled the results of the March local elections in the three main cities of the Kurdish south-east and east by removing voters’ chosen mayors, all valid candidates, and taking over these municipalities. Smearing the mayors by alleging vague links with terrorism to deprive the Kurdish population of their chosen representatives endangers everyone in Turkey who is committed to democratic elections, human rights and the rule of law.”

We condemn the ongoing state persecution of elected politicians, party activists and supporters of the pro-Kurdish left-wing People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Turkey’s second-largest opposition party representing millions of voters. This includes the unlawful imprisonment of Selahattin Demirtas, former MP and HDP co-chair, on baseless terrorism charges.

We call upon Turkey to end the war on Kurdish rights and choose the path of peace, dialogue and democracy. Adam Price AM, Leader, Plaid Cymru Mick Antoniw AM Labour Mike Hedges AM Labour Bethan Sayed AM Plaid Helen Mary Jones AM Plaid Anthony Slaughter, Leader, Wales Green Party Andrew Nicholson, Mayor of Pontadarwe Dale Rooke, Deputy Mayor of Chepstow