“News of the arrest of HDP leaders, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag and of many of its MPs, is a source of great concern,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni.
“I firmly condemn the political use made of the recent provisions that revoke the parliamentary immunity of members of parliament. The Italian government confirms its solidarity to the Turkish Authorities fighting against the threat of terrorism and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims of last night’s attack on Diyarbakir. However, the fight against the PKK cannot justify denying the rights to which opposition MPs are entitled.”
“I hope that all political forces represented in the Parliament will act together to solve the situation,” said Minister Gentiloni. He called the arrests “measures which can undermine all democratic and constructive dialogue with the Kurdish population of the Nation.”
Finally Italy’s top diplomat called upon Turkish authorities to “properly uphold civilian and democratic freedoms and the rule of law, which are essential in order for the Country to continue pressing ahead on the road to European accession.”
