Comments of Demirtaş about AKP’s FETÖ claims: ‘Nobody has deceived anyone!’
Speaking at his party’s parliamentarian group meeting earlier this week, HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş said: ‘Nobody has deceived anyone! Fethullah Gülen and AKP had worked together for the same cause. There is no deceiving involved. They did not deceive each other; they have betrayed each other!’
Also mentioning the joint presidential candidacy – by CHP and MHP- of Ekmelleddin İhsanoğlu, Demirtaş pointed out: ‘Who had suggested the joint candidate during the Presidential Elections? Come forth and clarify!... While all three parties had become friends with Fethullah, they blame HDP, the only party remaining clean.’
Praising people’s efforts and unity in the aftermath of the coup attempt, Demirtaş expressed his understanding of the feelings and concerns of the public with regards to the conflictual and polarizing atmosphere of politics in the country.
Highlights of remarks made by Demirtaş at HDP parliamentarian group meeting were:
“Violations of rights at prisons are rising. They should not think that torture cases in prisons have gone unnoticed. Minister of Justice is responsible for all torture cases.”
“Some say ‘we have been deceived; may God forgive us’ in reference to July 15... They had opened the way for Cemaat (Gülen community) through placements within the state. Before that, Kemalists had taken over the state positions and oppressed the Islamic groups, causing the Islamic groups to have an opportunity. Gülen and AKP were like-minded in this regard. Nobody has deceived anyone; they cooperated for the same cause and the same target... Both sides had begun to take over the state. Then, when they had realized that both sides had become powerful, they betrayed each other in terms of taking over the state in cooperation...We do not accept an excuse of ‘deceival.’”
“People’s common stand and reaction to the coup and their gathering in Yenikapı is very significant and dignified. As HDP, we understand this stand of the people and we respect it. But we cannot have the same respect for the stage!... Of course, the people have been longing for such togetherness. They are tired of conflicts and fights… But there will not come out an agreement and peace from Yenikapı. If there had been an agreement reached at Yenikapı, we would have got shocked but we would have still applauded.”
“Turkey is going towards polarization day bay day. Numan Kurtulmuş (Deputy PM) says ‘There is a festival of democracy in all 81 provinces.’ He should have at least not included Şırnak. There is no democracy festival there because it is a city that is still under curfews! These kinds of statements are offending!”
“We have made a call for a meeting of leaders… We have said ‘let’s sign a democratization declaration.’ As elected leaders of this country who have executive responsibilities, we promise in front of the world and our people for:
1- Solving all problems through dialogue;
2- Establishing a civil constitution;
3- Re-structuring of the state based on merit system;
4- Ensuring equal citizenship;
5- Sharing of duties with people in local governance;
6- Annihilating bribery and corruption;
7- Remaining faithful to the freedom of women at maximum level;
8- Opening the way for negotiations by putting aside arms;
9- Keeping people’s will above all;
10- Facing with our past mistakes.