Gulen-linked org’s statement on Turkish Govt’s arrest of pro-Kurdish Parliamentarians

Co-leaders, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP)
Co-leaders, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP)


Date posted: November 15, 2016

AfSV Statement on Turkish Government’s Arrest of HDP Parliamentarians 

Erdogan’s Persecutions Underscore Authoritarian Slide

New York (November 9, 2016) – The Alliance for Shared Values is deeply concerned about the arrests of nine members of Turkish Parliament from the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including the party’s co-chairs Mr. Selahattin Demirtas and Ms. Figen Yuksekdag. Restricting the freedoms of members of the Turkish Parliament only hinders efforts to prevent terrorism by cutting off a peaceful means of expressing opposition.

Following the deadly, failed July 15 coup attempt, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime has systematically targeted all critics, including secularists, liberals, Kurds, nationalists and Hizmet sympathizers, all under the pretense of an extended “state of emergency.” The arrests of the members of the Turkish Parliament only exacerbate the overwhelming slide by President Erdogan toward authoritarianism.

Since the failed July coup attempt, tens of thousands of citizens, mostly civilians, have been fired from their jobs and many lost their professional licenses and even college diplomas. Independent media is now nonexistent in Turkey, as the government has taken control of any news outlet critical of the president or his government. In addition, 35,000 innocent people have been detained without just cause and their assets have been frozen or seized. We urge the authorities to conduct their legal proceedings within the standards of the international agreements Turkey has ratified. Turkey must restore its rule of law, the freedom of the press and the vitality of its democratic institutions.

About Alliance for Shared Values

The Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a voice for dialogue organizations affiliated with Hizmet, a civil society movement inspired by prominent preacher and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. Based in New York, the Alliance strives to promote peace and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against any or all ethnic, cultural and religious communities. To learn more about the Alliance please visit www.afsv.org.

 

Media contact:

Tel: +1.212.682.4278 or media@afsv.org

Source: Alliance for Shared Values , November 9, 2016

Tags: | | | |


Related News

Domestic violence addressed at GYV Women’s Platform int’l conference

İPEK ÜZÜM, İSTANBUL The reasons behind domestic violence and the role of family in the prevalence of violence in society are being discussed during an international conference organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation‘s (GYV) Women’s Platform in İstanbul. The conference, titled “Family and Community Violence,” kicked off on Friday night with a reception at […]

Erdogan drags Turkey toward totalitarianism

Though the attempt ultimately failed, its aftermath and the president’s swift response have the potential fundamentally to shape Turkey’s future as a democratic nation. The all-encompassing, repressive nature of these actions is deeply worrying. All signs point to Erdogan seizing on the opportunity provided by the attempted insurrection, using it as justification to fully consolidate his power over Turkey.

Jews should speak up for Hizmet

When we think of Hizmet, Jews conscious of our own history either can say, “There but for the grace of God go we,” or we can think of Rabbi Hillel: “If we are only for ourselves, what are we? And if now, when?” 

Gülen’s curse was misquoted, misinterpreted, GYV chief says

Mustafa Yeşil, chairman of the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (GYV) executive board, in response to criticisms targeting prominent Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, said the curse uttered by Gülen did not have a direct reference and was poorly comprehended and highly manipulated by some who repeated it.

Turkish opposition leader: No witch hunt in democracies

Leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his threatening remarks against the Hizmet movement, which the prime minister claims, without providing any evidence, is involved in a plot against the government.

Dangerous and unnecessary tension

MARKAR ESAYAN Turkey has been experiencing heated tension over the prep school issue for a while. And unfortunately, the discussion was taken out of the educational context and has become a political issue. The Taraf daily, in its recent reports and with the official documents it published, argued that the Justice and Development Party (AK […]

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

From political Islam to Islamic terrorism: Is there a way out?

Fethullah Gülen’s Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Sri Lanka Explosions

Tears and sadness as Turkish people pack up to leave Pakistan

Half a million people in Turkey subject to prosecution over Gülen links: ministry

Turkish police detain another woman shortly after caesarean delivery

A study tour of Turkey with Gulen movement

Eximbank signs $300 mln deal with Pakistan at Tuskon meeting

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News