The Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP’s) Central Executive Board (MYK) issued a statement on the anniversary of the 4 November political coup: “Democratic politics is stronger than ever, despite all the attacks, with the power and legitimacy it receives from the people. It survives, despite all the obstacles”.
What happened on 4 November?
An operation was held against co-leaders of the HDP on 4 November 2016. Twelve deputies were detained in the operation. As a result of the vote held in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) in May 2016, the immunity of the deputies who had a report filed against them was lifted. The HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, deputies Ferhat Encü, Leyla Birlik, Selma Irmak, Abdullah Zeydan, İdris Baluken, Gülser Yıldırım and Nursel Aydoğan were arrested.
HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan has stated that 4 November was the day a political coup took place against HDP’s Co-Chairs and deputies: “Why do we call 4 November the date of a political coup? Because that unlawful hostage-taking operation was carried out against democratic politics and democracy”.