Turkish opposition calls for more democracy, not one-man-rule

The failed coup in Turkey has become a tool and opportunity for the government to purge all opposition and limit democratic rights and freedom, left-wing pro-Kurdish opposition party says

Co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas (L) and Figen Yuksekdag
Co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas (L) and Figen Yuksekdag

The way out of the failed coup and chaos in Turkey is not a more authoritarian one-man-rule, but more democracy, the left-wing pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) said.

Reacting to the declaration of a three-month state of emergency, the HDP said this will mean that Turkey will be ruled by decree against the constitution, the Council of Ministers will be chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the jurisdiction of governors will be increased, and vital universal and democratic human rights will be violated while the presidential system will be imposed without restraint.

The three-month state of emergency, approved by parliament on Thursday by 346 votes to 115, will allow the government to rule by decree, passing bills that have the force of law unless they are overturned by parliament, where the majority of MPs belong to the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP). Following the vote, the government informed the Council of Europe of a partial withdrawal from the European convention on human rights.

The HDP pointed out that the failed coup in Turkey has become “a tool and opportunity for the government to purge all opposition and limit democratic rights and freedom.”

More than 9,000 people have been detained or arrested in connection with the coup, including 2,000 judges and prosecutors and nearly 7,000 soldiers. Tens of thousands of teachers and academic staff have been suspended, although Turkey has over three million civil servants and more than four million public sector employees.

The three-month state of emergency shows the coup attempt might have been blocked, “but the desire to rule the country with coup-like, authoritative mentality is not,” the HDP said.

It added that the road to arbitrary rule, unlawful behavior, feeding on violence, polarising politics, inciting hatred, insecure conditions and consolidated power has been chosen above democracy.

“A democratic solution regarding the destructive coup was not considered, society has been forced to choose between a coup or an undemocratic government. We absolutely deny these choices,” the HDP said.  

It said Erdogan’s Islamist party, AKP, has chosen to exploit the hatred of the masses for political gain.

“The historic opportunity to take steps against the coup with social consensus by democratic measures was not taken. We find this cheap, pragmatic and stillborn approach of celebrating the state of emergency unacceptable. AKP's efforts to become the absolute power and reinforce one-man-rule by declaring a state of emergency will lead our country to a more painful course.”

The pro-peace HDP called upon all institutions defending peace and labour, unions, chambers of all professions, civil society organisations, parties, women and youth organisations and all Turkish citizens with conscience “to stand against this dark and serious time in our country, to be in solidarity for our peoples' safety and freedom, for the democratic future of our society.”