HDP begins ‘justice watch’ demonstration in Istanbul under heavy security

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Kurdistan 24) – Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on Tuesday began its “conscience and justice watch” in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district, with several of its lawmakers in attendance.

After spending a week in the southeastern Kurdish-majority province of Diyarbakir, the HDP started its demonstrations at the Yogurtcu Park in Istanbul.

Police set up barricades as strict security measures were taken around the park, including the closure of roads, according to Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News.

HDP lawmaker Sirri Sureyya Onder said the demonstrations would continue and “will be spread” from the northwestern province of Edirne to Hakkari in the southeast.

“These watches will bring together those seeking democracy and peace in Turkey,” he told reporters. “They cannot stop this.”

Onder pointed to the injustice suffered by HDP lawmakers and municipality workers which he called a process of “destruction.”

“Our elected municipal council members, provincial and district heads, co-chairs and lawmakers have been subjected to a massive destruction operation,” he stated.

“However, they won’t be successful,” Onder added, referring to the ongoing crackdown by the Turkish government.

The Turkish government has been cracking down on the press and pro-Kurdish parties since the failed military coup last July.

The number of HDP members detained in the aftermath of the coup attempt was 7,432 of which 2,345 were put in jail, according to the party’s website.

The HDP’s co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, along with ten other lawmakers, have been detained since last year.

The party’s current co-chair Serpil Kemalbay said the HDP expects support from the main opposition the Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the “justice watch.”

“We hope this solidarity becomes stronger,” she said. “All those carrying out a struggle for democracy need to show the same sort of support.”

Editing by G.H. Renaud