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

Back to school in Turkey after post-coup teacher purge

As more than 18 million children began the new term after the summer break, Huseyin Ozev, president of the Istanbul teachers’ union, told AFP there were fears the academic year would begin with “chaos” because of huge staff shortages.

Logistics companies seized over Gülen links sold in fast-track auction

Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund announced it has sold Sürat Kargo and Sürat Lojistik, private logistics companies that had been transferred to the TMSF due to their alleged affiliation with the Gülen movement. Numerous private companies were transferred to TMSF due to their alleged links to the Gülen movement before and after a failed coup in 2016.

28th Abant Meeting “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey” to be held in February 2013

Turkey’s foremost civil intellectual forum, Abant Platform‘s workshop on “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey,” will be held in February 8-10, 2013 in Abant, Bolu. The Abant Platform is founded as an intellectual forum by the Journalists and Writers Foundation to promote democratic engagement for expanding social consensus and the coexistence of society’s rich cultural resources within […]

Gülen sues Ankara chief public prosecutor for defamation after terrorist label

Fethullah Gülen’s lawyer has filed a civil lawsuit claiming compensation against Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor Harun Kodalak for calling the Turkish Islamic scholar the leader of a terrorist organization, Gülen’s lawyer Nurullah Albayrak announced in a written statement

Why would Gulen choose to attempt a coup that’s contrary to all his views?

I believe it is unlikely that Gulen was the mastermind behind the dramatic failed coup attempt against Erdogan last week. Of course, in the absence of evidence, so far no one can speak with certainty. Gulen’s social movement probably has well over a million followers or sympathizers who are not under centralized control.

Smear campaign websites cleared while targeted journalists accused

The smear campaign websites have made accusations and lies and committed libel in order to defame journalists who work in media outlets close to the Hizmet movement as well as those critical of the government.

Latest News

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

After Reunion: A Quiet Transformation Within the Hizmet Movement

Erdogan’s Failed Crusade: The World Rejects His War on Hizmet

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

In Case You Missed It

Prosecutor says he was blocked from investigating new graft probe

Erdoğan’s accusation that Hizmet organized the coup attempt is noxious and absurd

CCBT Teaches Turkish in Public School in Rio de Janeiro

Are Gülen’s remarks on talks with PKK really surprising?

Turkish PM Erdoğan lashes out at Gülen as the head of ‘neo-Ergenekon’

Portrait of Fethullah Gülen: A Modern Turkish-Islamic Reformist

Turkish Alevites, Sunnis show solidarity during Eid al-Adha

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News