The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is concerned about the recent arrests and detention of parliamentarians from the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey. The Organization is particularly worried by the allegations that these MPs may have been targeted in response to their conduct of peaceful political activities.
IPU is in contact with the Turkish authorities to enquire into the exact circumstances of and justification for the arrests and detention. IPU President Saber Chowdhury and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong urge the authorities to take every step to ensure respect for the rule of law. They stress that these MPs are entitled to due process and fair trial guarantees in any legal proceedings against them.
IPU recalls that the arrests of the MPs took place after their parliamentary immunity had been lifted earlier this year. IPU President Saber Chowdhury, during his visit to Turkey in October, reminded the authorities about the importance of parliamentary immunity to allow parliamentarians to do their job freely and securely and to safeguard the integrity of the parliamentary institution.
Regarding HDP’s decision to provisionally pull out from parliament, IPU calls upon the Turkish Parliament and the authorities to ensure that all conditions are met for MPs to freely work together to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. It also calls for the respect, by all sides, of the constitutional order and the democratic integrity of parliament.
