Statement from Demirtaş following İnce's visit

HDP presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş issued a written statement following the visit to him by CHP candidate Muharrem İnce. Demirtaş penned the following lines:

I first submit my thanks to Mr Muharrem İnce for his visit.

The injustices that have been experienced for a long time in our country are continuing over the election process. I consider this visit by Mr İnce to be important and meaningful in terms both of drawing attention to these injustices through my person and as a political courtesy.

“I HOPE THE ELECTIONS WILL OPEN THE WAY FOR DEMOCRACY”

My colleagues and I are being held political hostage in prison. But, unfortunately, the outside does not greatly differ from a half open prison, either. Injustices such as the state of emergency conditions, the single-voice media, threats of sacking and detention and the mobilising of the state’s facilities for one presidential candidate have made it impossible for the electoral contest to be held in a setting of equality. I hope and wish that, despite this unjust contest, the elections will open the way for democracy, freedoms and peace.

I also believe that the constructive language and style the candidates and parties will use in the election campaign will contribute significantly towards eliminating social polarisation.

“EXAMPLE OF HUMANITARIAN SOLIDARITY CONTAINING COURTESY”

This visit by Mr İnce is an example of humanitarian solidarity containing political courtesy, rather than a political message to our electorate. Even if our political views are different, we will in this way have contributed towards the culture of social understanding and peace come what may irrespective of who wins at the end of the election campaign we will wage within a setting of mutual respect. I wish to state that I feel additional happiness that Mr İnce is also acting in this frame of mind.

“I HOPE FOR AUSPICIOUSNESS”

Our people most certainly deserve the best of all things. Despite all the obstacles, pressures and difficulties, I and my party the HDP will wage the election campaign in this frame of mind in order to honourably represent the oppressed.

I take this opportunity to wish him and the other candidates success and trouble-free campaigning, and I thank Mr İnce once more for his visit and humanitarian solidarity.

I hope that the elections will be auspicious for our country and people.

09.05.2018

Selahattin Demirtaş