Figen Yüksekdağ
Jailed politican Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), writes for Yeni Özgür Politika from the Kocaeli Kandıra F-type Prison in Turkey. The translated article can be read below.
All political signs lead us to follow our own path against the tyrants who try to silence the opposition. With the 8 March and “Newroz” celebrations, we wake up to a new day, refreshing itself. Freedom against isolation and the struggle against cruelty are established in prisons.
At such times, it is better to speak directly without any confusion, uncertainty or hesitation. Those who believe in democracy without hesitation, who are determined to act and make a stand, open a new path. No matter how strong and immoral the pressure is, you can win and walk into the future.
The most important thing is not to let fascism win at this very moment. The ruling power has used all its tools against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). For months they have been trying to cover up their own failures and defeat by attacking the HDP, Kurds, and the democratic forces.
They closed the party many times before, lifted the immunity of lawmakers, appointed trustees, and imprisoned politicians. The result is obvious: the country has lost out during the last five years, but they have failed, too. They have simply turned into a harmful organism that has exhausted all its meanings and values and clings to power like a leech.
Each time they lost more. They were elected by 40% of voters, but now their share of voters has decreased to 30%.
Our only crime is that we have revealed that a power that was considered endless, immortal and invincible will come to an end. Not only that, but to show that those who are destined to lose can in fact win, without collpasing in the face of the most daring attacks.
The new line of resistance and the existence of our era emerged under these conditions and continues to develop. In Turkey there was a struggle for democracy, freedom and justice, and as long as this is the basis then the Kurdish question will sustain itself.
The summary of proceedings recently presented to the parliament, denying the will of the people once again, and the operations against the HDP will not be successful precisely for this reason. On the contrary, the system is weakened by this unreliable and lawless stance. As political power and the force of public opinion objectify the HDP and its millions of voters, the most important factor is the direction of the mind and will of our peoples.
It is clear that the latest attack aims to create distraction, hesitation, confusion and pressure to change the priorities of democratic politics and push to take a defensive position. This is the weak chain of politics and it will be broken with a clear stance and insistence on our own political agenda.
Threats of closing the HDP and lifting immunity are no longer a test of strength for us. It is a bomb that has a highly destructive affect on the system, and the government is constantly playing this game. The HDP was born as part of the strength that fought against this violence. Today the government does not have effective weapons to destroy, it only threatens. Although the conditions for real politics have not improved, commitment to the goals and principles is the best way to assure development and success.
The truth is based on plural forms of identity, and comes from the value and strength of this commitment. With this value and strength, we get rid of the “real-politik” monster. The rules of this order are worthless in the presence of people. Dignity is not a material that can be easily plundered in the political arena. Human dignity cannot be occupied by force, cruelty, deceit or coup.
No need to go too far: look at the last five years. Whatever was done under persecution was made unlawful. The most vital achievements in the history of politics were under pressure; municipal co-mayors were imprisoned, local governments appointed trustees, evacuated several party organisations, the street was turned into hell and people were unable to enter party buildings. The HDP has not vanished and those who tried to destroy the party are in despair now. Only if they could have known that the curse turned around and found its owner… But they cannot see this, because all they know is cursing and blaming the others.
The Kurdish people, especially women, and all those defending labour, freedom and peace will speak up and give voice to the truth. The free will of our peoples will determine their fate even if the political power continues the attempt to close the HDP and to maintain the fascist system. We will succeed. One more time: the resistance is going to write the story from the beginning to the end.
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