HDP Europe launches campaign “A letter is an unannounced visit”

Recalling Nietsche’s words, “A letter is an unannounced visit”, HDP Europe has launched a campaign in solidarity with the party’s political prisoners in Turkey’s jails.

In a statement launching the campaign, HDP Europe said: “Under Erdogan’s regime, anyone who disagrees with his views is imprisoned and turned into a hostage; politicians, MPs, municipal co-chairs, journalists, academics, women’s rights advocates, youths, university students, writers and artists. The regime does this by creating a climate of fear within the entire society.”

More than 10,000 HDP individuals have been jailed since 2016 and more than 4,000 are still behind bars. HDP Europe said: “Our friends are not prisoners, but political hostages. In spite of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, the Erdogan regime keeps them in prison. Our municipal co-chairs, parliamentarians, administrators, female councillors, members of the youth organisation and all other members are held captive not because they commit crimes, but because they are organising a society based on democratic, ecological and women’s freedom in Turkey. Now, as comrades and friends, we will launch a campaign to show our solidarity with them.”

We are firmly convinced that the ‘limits of freedom will not be limited to prison walls!’

HDP Europe added: “If somebody writes a letter to our friends in Turkish prisons, they will make a significant contribution in the name of solidarity.

In addition to the 4000 HDP members, there are thousands of other political prisoners. Show your support and solidarity for a democratic Turkey, where we all hope to find freedom.

Whether you are an elected parliamentarian, a representative of a political party, a mayor, an academic or you believe in freedom, write a letter to show solidarity with the prisoners.”

40 imprisoned HDP politicians (20 women and 20 men) with an elected mandate, have been selected by HDP Europe and are among the more than 4,000 imprisoned HDP members.

The following individuals are systematically detained and imprisoned on the basis of the regime’s wishes without any legal basis, despite rulings of ECtHR. Furthermore, Turkey’s government has refused to apply any rulings of ECtHR so far.

The list can be found here