In a display of resilience and determination, three prominent Kurdish politicians, Sebahat Tuncel, Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Baydemir, expressed their thoughts on the recent elections in Turkey and shared their hope and determination for the upcoming presidential election during separate statements on Friday.
Selahattin Demirtaş, the jailed former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), shared a message of hope, stating, “We refuse to relinquish our hopes, dreams, and future to the forces of tyranny. We stand as a movement of humanity, a movement that cannot be defeated. Rise up and bring about change! RABE SER PIYAN Û BIGUHERÎNE (RISE UP AND CHANGE)!”
Sebahat Tuncel, the former co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), who is currently in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison, sent a message for the upcoming election on 28 May in a statement published by Yeni Yaşam daily, stating, “Let us not forget that accepting the current situation and retreating is a betrayal to our peoples and women. A passive stance is surrendering to fascism. Resistance and struggle will lead us to success and victory.” She urged voters to defeat fascism at the ballot box and create a new life with the Green Left on 28 May.
Meanwhile, former mayor of Diyarbakır (Amed), Osman Baydemir, emphasised that the fight was not over, urging voters to exercise their power and stated, “The outcome is still within your hands. We can still defeat fascism. Remember! Those who go to the polls will have the final say and shape history!” with the hashtag #fascismwilllose.
In an accompanying video message, Baydemir acknowledged the unequal and unfair environment in which the elections took place, expressing disappointment in the current parliamentary majority held by the People’s Alliance, a coalition he says aims to institutionalise fascism.
However, Baydemir urged the public not to lose hope, highlighting that the upcoming second round of the presidential election presented another opportunity to hold those in power accountable. He emphasised the significance of the executive branch being led by a rival party, in case the joint presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of the opposition Nation Alliance wins, which would establish a system of checks and balances.
The Kurdish politician also appealed to overseas voters, informing them of their right to vote between 20 and 24 May. He urged them to participate in the electoral process, emphasising the importance of preventing the institutionalisation of absolute fascism.
Baydemir concluded by urging supporters to mobilise their networks and encourage others to vote. He stressed that the 28 May presidential election is a crucial moment that would determine the fate of the country, asserting that it was an opportunity to confront and challenge fascism.
