ANKARA - HDP Spokesperson Ebru Günay, stating that they are postponing the Newroz celebrations due to coronavirus to May Day, made a call for the release of the sick prisoners who are in the risk group.
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Spokesperson Ebru Günay held a press conference at her party's headquarters.
Speaking about the party's extraordinary Central Executive Committee (FMC) meeting on Thursday, Günay said: "We addressed important issues and reached important agreements. While I was on the way to the meeting, we learned that Mr Selçuk Mızraklı was punished. Of course, this is actually a clear indication of the AKP Kurdish hostility policy. While our meeting continued, 13 people, including lawyers, were detained in Diyarbakır. Journalists were arrested at the beginning of the week. In other words, the AKP government once again targets the opposition. We call on the government to give up oppression policies and laws."
NEWROZ CELEBRATIONS POSTPONED
Speaking about Newroz celebrations canceled due to the spreading of coronavirus, Günay said: "Newroz is a holiday of resistance for all peoples, especially the Kurds. It is a very important holiday for us. While we were carrying out preparations in accordance with the spirit of Newroz, we needed to re-evaluate the opportunity of carrying out the celebrations given the spreading of coronavirus in the world.
As a result of our discussions with the Newroz platform and our party boards, we have taken public health as a basis of any decision. Taking into account the reccomendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), Turkish Medical Association (TBB) and the Health and Social Workers' Union (SES) we decided to postpone Newroz celebrations. It was a tough decision for us as it was important to celebrate Newroz and welcome spring. However, we believe that we will celebrate Newroz on 1 May."
SICK PRISONERS MUST BE RELEASED
Underlining the risk of coronavirus spreading in prisons, Günay said: "Prisons are unfortunately a favourable environment for the spreading of coronavirus. A separate assessment is urgently needed as to best judge health situation in the prisons. All prisoners in the risk group, especially ill prisoners, should be released."
ISOLATION IN IMRALI
Günay replied to a question regarding the actions planned to protest the isolation of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan and said: "We have conference decisions. We have a determination to defend peace in the face of war and freedom in the face of isolation. Our work continues. We will share with you our plans in the coming days within the scope of freedom against isolation, life against death and peace against war."