The Co-Chairs of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, made statements on their social media accounts regarding the protests in Iran.
Bakırhan stated that women, youth, workers, and the poor in Iran, as well as people of different identities and beliefs, have been protesting in Iran against the economic collapse for years, saying:
“This is not merely a cry against economic collapse, but a demand for equal citizenship, justice, and freedom. As the DEM Party, we consider these demands legitimate; we condemn any coercive policy aimed at suppressing the will of the people. The Iranian regime is not resolving but deepening the crisis by responding to democratic demands with violence. We reject the approach that turns the streets, squares, and especially Kurdish cities not into a ‘security zone’ but effectively into a war zone. Detentions, allegations of torture, extrajudicial killings, and lethal interventions must be stopped immediately. We call on the regime to listen to the voices of millions, to take democratic steps that will strengthen the common life of the people, and to open the way for peaceful solutions. History has shown time and again in Iran and the Middle East that the strongest defense against external pressure, economic misery, and social disintegration is to establish a democratic order based on the consent of the people. No country ruled by violence can achieve stability; the path to stability is freedom, justice, and equality.”
Tülay Hatimoğulları stated: “Women, young people, and citizens of different identities who have taken to the streets in response to the deepening economic crisis and increasing pressure in Iran are facing severe violence. According to data from the Iranian Human Rights Organization, at least 19 people have lost their lives in the protests, and hundreds have been injured. The detention of those injured and the forced confessions of children are inhumane. We condemn the attacks that have caused loss of life across Iran, particularly in Kurdish cities. As the DEM Party, we call on the Iranian government to abandon its insistence on ruling through oppression and violence; to listen to the people’s demands for welfare, equality, and justice; and to immediately open democratic channels for resolution.We are aware that imperialist powers have pressed the button to redesign the Middle East and Africa. The first way to resist this is for every country in the region, especially Iran, to respect the free will of the people; to expand their freedom and build a democratic order. We call upon Iran to take steps in this direction. We stand with the honorable and legitimate struggle of the Iranian people.”