The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) held its 6th Ordinary Grand Congress at its headquarters in Ankara on Friday. Co-Chairs Sultan Özcan and Cahit Kırkazak delivered the opening speeches.
In his speech, Kırkazak emphasized that the HDP is a common ground for the peoples of Turkey to struggle together, saying, “The HDP, together with the peoples, responded to the centralist and authoritarian mindset’s efforts to divide and disperse.”
Pointing to the pressure and closure case against the HDP, Kırkazak stated, “The case has been left pending for 2 years and 5 months. But the HDP is not a signboard, it is not a building; you cannot close it down.”
Remarking that peace in the Middle East is linked to the democratic resolution process in Turkey, Kırkazak continued, “The HDP’s paradigm and ideology is its perspective on a democratic society. If this society achieves peace through the HDP’s perspective and Öcalan’s leadership, the path to peace will open up throughout the Middle East. If the process in Turkey is not successful, a successful peace in the Middle East is not possible. If the process in Turkey is successful, the paths to peace in the Middle East will also open more easily.”
Sultan Özcan recalled the determined resistance against the case to close the HDP, saying, “We have defended the legal personality of this claim, which is the lifeblood of the march for democracy, and we will continue to defend it.”
Özcan continued, “Together, we have demonstrated our determination to defend the legal personality of this claim, which is the lifeblood of the march toward democracy for labor, peoples, and faiths—in short, the march toward freedom—with its line of women’s freedom as the pioneer of change and transformation, its ecological approach, and its approach to the rights of nature. I believe we will continue to do so.”
Sultan Özcan emphasized that the struggle would continue under all circumstances, saying, “The road is one, but the journey is a thousand.”
Following the speeches, activity and financial reports were read. Sultan Özcan and Cahit Kırkazak were re-elected as co-chairs.