The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has strongly condemned the recent forced closure of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) office in Erbil (Hewlêr) by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). In an urgent statement issued on Monday, the Executive Council of the DEM Party criticised the move, describing it as a serious setback for Kurdish unity and democratic principles in the region.
According to the DEM Party, the KDP’s action not only undermines political dialogue between Kurdish factions but also threatens the collective Kurdish aspiration for national unity. “This step sabotages efforts for Kurdish national unity and goes against the legitimate expectations of millions of Kurds,” the DEM Party said.
The HDP office in Erbil was closed on Friday, forcing its representatives to move to Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî). The expulsion was reportedly ordered by the KDP’s intelligence service (Asayish) without any explanation. At a press conference in Sulaymaniyah, HDP representative Hikmat Khatib described how the representatives were transported in vehicles to checkpoints marking the borders between KDP and Patrotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) influence without being informed of the reasons for the expulsion.
The DEM Party pointed out the concerning timing of these events, which coincide with Turkey’s recent imposition of trustees in Kurdish-majority municipalities, seen by many as part of a broader strategy to stifle Kurdish political representation. “It is crucial that Kurdish political movements maintain respectful relations and open channels of dialogue,” the DEM Party said, stressing the need for solidarity in the face of external pressure.
The statement also reiterated the DEM Party’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, democratic solution to the Kurdish question. “We stand by the freedom, democracy, and peace struggles of the Kurdish people under all circumstances,” the DEM Party said, calling on the KDP to reverse its decision and respect the presence of the HDP in Erbil.
The DEM Party also called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and KDP officials to engage in constructive dialogue with Kurdish political groups, criticising the decision as “lacking any legal, political, or moral justification”. They called for an end to restrictions on HDP representatives, for their safety to be guaranteed, and for channels of dialogue based on mutual respect and equality to be maintained without interruption.
