The People’s Democratic Party (HDP) released a video on Sunday in response to Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson, who said last week that they had been taking note of criticism levelled at the party and the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“Since we are in the disaster region with our citizens, we have not been a part of the political discussions. We are currently just noting the things said against our president and against us,” said Ömer Çelik, on 15 February, before a meeting of the party’s executive board.
Many in Turkey, including journalists and politicians of the opposition parties, saw Çelik’s statement as a threat, heralding a new wave of government crackdown, while people on Twitter started using the hashtag #benidenotedin (#notemetoo) in their posts related to the earthquake and in criticism of the government.
The HDP today responded to Çelik with a video demonstrating the failure of the government of the AKP and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as well as the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), in organising the disaster relief work and the resulting suffering of the people.
“Note those cries too! Because this nation has noted your crimes, your unforgivable sins in a way that will never let them be forgotten. We will create life anew through solidarity,” the party said on Twitter while sharing the video.
The video ends with a call to increase solidarity and to heal the wounds, telling people that they could leave the aid they have collected with the HDP’s provincial and district branches.
