DEM Party Calls for Release of Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ on 10th Anniversary of Detention

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları visited Selahattin Demirtaş at the Edirne F-Type High Security Closed Prison on the tenth anniversary of his detention. She made a statement outside the prison on November 4, marking ten years since the arrests.

Hatimoğulları described the November 4, 2016 detentions of Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and many parliamentarians as a political coup. She said their doors were broken down or forced open before they were taken into custody and arrested.

“Turkey, as a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, has a duty and responsibility to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.”

She stated there has been no crime for ten years other than doing democratic politics. She said Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ are being held as political hostages and called for their immediate release.

Hatimoğulları also called for the release of those detained in the Kobani case. She said the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber issued rulings for Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ despite Turkey's objections, and that Turkey has a legal obligation to implement them as a party to the European Convention on Human Rights.

She said Demirtaş remains lively and resolute in spirit and posture. She quoted him asking her to convey his greetings and love to everyone asking about him outside and to all the people of Turkey.

Later, DEM Party Chair Tuncer Bakırer was scheduled to visit Figen Yüksekdağ at Kandıra Prison and make a statement outside. Women's Assembly Spokesperson Halide Türkoğlu was also scheduled to visit Kobani detainees at Sincan Prison and issue a statement.