Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Green Left Party (YSP) remains committed to pursuing a resolution to the Kurdish question and determined to continue the struggle until peace is achieved, the party said in a statement in which they addressed the ongoing hostility against their party and its representatives in the parliament.
The statement, released on Tuesday, came after a press conference held by YSP spokespersons during Sunday’s opening of the new parliamentary session. In the statement, the YSP voiced concerns over what they perceive as increasing hostility both from members of the ruling party and from elements they describe as “lawless.” They pointed specifically to a wave of attacks directed at HDP spokesperson Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar.
At the press conference, Uçar urged the Turkish parliament to address pressing societal concerns, notably the Kurdish issue, and called for the immediate cessation of the practice of isolation, referring specifically to the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The YSP stressed that it is the responsibility of the parliament and the broader political sphere to take measures aimed at preventing further loss of life resulting from these unresolved matters.
Following the statement, a number of members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) targeted Uçar and the Green Left. Oktay Saral, a presidential advisor, let loose on Twitter (X), saying, “Who is this individual! How dare she make such remarks in the heart of my country! The most decisive action to be taken has to be against these shady figures who pose a threat to our state and our nation, and that without delay!”
The YSP defended Uçar’s words, which they said had been misrepresented and taken out of context by critics. “We reiterate with a stronger voice: the perpetuation of conflict and war in the Kurdish issue is a choice of the government, and sadly, the people have been paying a heavy price for this for years”, they said, adding, “We refuse to accept this situation, which has been imposed on society as though it were simply fate”.
The party claimed that it has become almost impossible to engage in critical thinking, propose solutions, or express opinions about deeply rooted problems in the country in recent years. They maintained that society is expected to echo the government’s established narratives without question, a demand they strongly reject.
The statement referred to recent incidents where individuals had been arrested or detained for their comments on issues related to the Kurdish question, and highlighted the cases of journalists Merdan Yanardağ, and more recently Ayşenur Aslan, who were both detained after asking questions related to these matters.
The party concluded by warning that the atmosphere of intimidation and oppression has an effect not only on opposition groups, but threatens society as a whole. They underlined their commitment to resisting these threats against the will of the people, women’s rights and the freedom of thought.
