DİYARBAKIR - The building of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Diyarbakır has been under police blockade for 14 days. The province administrator Memduhe Biçer commented on the blockade and said, “Blockade of a political party building is unacceptable.”

 

The press statement to be issued in the building of Diyarbakır HDP on January 20, 2018 to protest Turkey’s attacks on Afrin was blocked by police and the building was blockaded. The province administrator Memduhe Biçer reacted to the ongoing blockade for 14 days and she said they would not take a step back against such policies.

 

‘They cannot stand even a press statement’

 

Memhude called the blockade on their party’s building as “invasion” and she stated they entered the building under the shadow of police for a long time. “They try to ban and block us in every aspect,” Memduhe said, “They cannot stand even a press statement. Still we don’t understand this. Blockade of a political party building is unacceptable.”

 

‘Turkey is an anti-democratic country’

 

Recalling the statement of AKP Leader Tayyip Erdoğan against the HDP members, Memduhe said, “He tells us ‘We will make you regret for what you are doing’. A President of a country makes this statement. How can he make this statement? We are an official and legal party. Furthermore, our party building in Pendik was burned. They try to intimidate us in this way. We will stand up for our party until we die. We can say this country is an anti-democratic country.”

 

‘Let’s hold congress despite pressures’

 

Memduhe stated that the attacks on the HDP started just before the party’s congress to be held on February 11. Memduhe emphasized that as women, they will never bow to pressure and intimidation policies. “We will struggle like we did before. We draw our strength from women’s struggle, our history and HDP. We call on all women to stand up for the HDP and its congress.”