HDP co-leader calls UN to monitor ceasefire in Turkey

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The co-leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) stated recently that the success of the coup in Turkey would have led to more bloodshed, especially among the Kurds.

Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the HDP, proposed three solutions for resuming peace talks between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). One of the solutions includes the release of PKK’s imprisoned leader.

In an interview with a Swedish newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, Demirtas revealed his solutions.

He proposed a bilateral ceasefire, the release of Abdullah Öcalan, and the start of negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations to help write a constitution where the rights of minorities in Turkey are protected.

Demirtas stated that these proposals aim to resolve the current crisis as well as implement peace in Turkey.

“I have raised the proposal to the government that we, the HDP, are ready to cooperate for the ceasefire,” he affirmed.

Demirtas also said that the claim that the government saved democracy in the country is now accurate. He added that those who took to the streets following the failed coup were defending dictatorship.

In 2013, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) contributed to the ceasefire, and the peace process went on until July 2015.

Following the parliamentary elections in Turkey, the clashes erupted again and continue to date.

Since then, over 1,700 people have been killed, including civilians, state security troops, and PKK members, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG).

During a visit to the Kurdistan Region, a Member of Turkish Parliament asked Kurdistan to intervene in the Turkish-PKK dispute to spark an agreement or reconciliation.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany