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

When paths part…

ORHAN MİROĞLU The Hizmet movement and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) have arrived at a critical junction in the road. The main problems that have emerged on the route towards this critical junction are of course not limited to the debates and disagreements surrounding the question of the closure of the prep schools. […]

Post-coup Turkey sliding into terror regime: Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk

Prominent Turkish novelist and recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in literature, Orhan Pamuk, has criticized the government’s large-scale crackdown in the aftermath of the failed July 15 coup, warning that Turkey is heading toward “a regime of terror.” “In Turkey, we are dramatically putting behind bars all those who struggle for freedom of expression, and criticize the government even slightly,” Pamuk said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Erdoğan in his second home

Apolitical faith-based movements, represented by the Sufi lodges and the Hizmet movement today, regard Iranian expansionism as a real and imminent threat that needs to be tackled.

Could assassination attempts be made against politicians?

Given the fact that Gülen is the foremost advocate of nonviolence and the only promoter of dialogue with different segments of society, including Jews and Christians, it was surprising for many political observers to see Gülen’s movement being labeled as hashashins.

Turkish citizens in Arkansas face uncertain futures

Director of the Peace Keeping and Human Rights Program at Columbia University David Phillips says surveillance is possibly going on here in the US, even in Arkansas. “There are widespread reports that Turkey’s national intelligence agency is recruiting informants in order to identify so-called Gulenists or opponents of the regime.”

Erdogan’s long arm abroad: no way to get passports, facing deportation to Turkey, no help!

A letter sent to journalist Lindsey Snell revealed and proved once again that Turkey’s constitutional dictator Erdogan is determined to exterminate members of the Hizmet. He has limited, if not wiped off freedoms, for them both in the Turkey and abroad, which includes freedom to travel.

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

‘Turkish schools are excellent good will ambassadors for Turkey’

Gulen, a Secret Cardinal?

The Fall of Turkey

Kimse Yok Mu becomes first charity to reach Philippines from Turkey

Human rights associations up in arms over deputy’s remarks on torture allegations

Kimse Yok Mu aid for Pakistan

Filipino-Turkish School of Tolerance Donates Beef in Feast of Sacrifice

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News