PES calls on Turkish state to protect citizens equally

PES calls on Turkish state to protect citizens equally

Groups of civilians have been raiding the offices of Halkların Demokratik Partisi (Peoples’ Democratic Party), damaging them and setting some on fire.

Attacks began after a car bombing in the city of Kayseri, and are clearly a vigilante reaction.

PES President Stanishev said:

“As always, we are against all kind of terrorism and we condemn all terrorist attacks in Turkey.

“But we also call on the Turkish authorities to protect all its citizens and keep them safe, including members of HDP, which is represented in the Turkish parliament.

“Vigilante attacks on the offices of a political party set a very dangerous precedent.”

On several occasions, the Party of European Socialists has also expressed its concern about the situation among detained HDP MPs, including the two co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.