Celebrations marking the eighth anniversary of the foundation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey have continued. Thousands gathered to celebrate at the Bostancı Performance Centre in İstanbul, where HDP Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar attended and spoke.
Buldan spoke about the constituting the democratic republic whilst Sancar called for unity.
Buldan drew attention to the way in which the HDP has been suppressed. She stated that: “Despite those in power, this century will be the century of the oppressed and the century of women. Despotic systems that have oppressed people for nearly a century deserve to be condemned and will be replaced”. She clarified that “the HDP exists to make this ancient land a common home to Kurdish, Turkish, Armenian, Arab, Circassian, Assyrian, Yazidi, Laz, Christian, Muslim, Greek, Romany and Pomak peoples and it struggles to acheive this goal”.
She added: “We campaign for a free and equal life, for democracy, justice, an honourable peace and the rights of labourers. We aim to create and realise a democratic republic that will make make everyone feel welcome. They have treated Kurdish people and the Kurdish language as enemies. They banned a Kurdish play just a few days ago. They got into a situation where they were even scared of theatrical productions in Kurdish. They have ignored the people’s will and appointed trustees in a lawless way in municipalities. Let us change this corrupt system and work towards a humanitarian, equal life together”.
HDP Co-Chair Mithat Sancar stated: “It is time for democratic forces to unite to ensure democracy in this country. It is time for Kurdish people to ensure national unity against the ones who play with Kurdish people’s honour”. Republican People’s Party’s (CHP’s) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu sent a greeting message on the eighth anniversary of HDP. İstanbul Municipality’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, also conveyed his regards and celebrated the HDP’s eighth anniversary.
After speeches were made at the gathering, a film was screened and the musician Pınar Aydınlar and Mesopotamia Culture Centre’s artists staged a performance.
