Manifesto of the Kurdistan Initiative for the Freedom of Selahattin Demirtaş and His Comrades
The ghost of human rights activist Selahattin Demirtaş and his imprisoned comrades looms over the Turkish justice system and its judicial institutions. Their plight casts serious doubt on the fairness of judicial rulings, questioning the true motives behind them. This scrutiny challenges the Turkish state’s claims of equality among its citizens, highlighting ongoing concerns about justice and equality.
The names of Demirtaş and his comrades—Figen Yüksekdağ, Ali Ürküt, Alp Altınörs, Aynur Aşan, Bülent Barmaxes, Dilek Yağlı, Günay Kubilay, İsmail Cengül, Nazmi Gür, Pervin Oduncu, Zeynep Karaman, and Zeynep Ölbeci—who were arbitrarily sentenced, have become synonymous with the absence of law, the rise of extreme nationalism, and the tyranny dominating public life and judicial institutions in Turkey. It is evident to everyone that there are malicious and political motives behind the actions against Demirtaş. This action targets his symbolic role in supporting the Kurdish resistance during the Kobani epic of 2014 against the terrorist group, known as the Islamic State, as well as his tireless efforts for peace and resolving the Kurdish issue in northern Kurdistan.
In this context, the unjust judicial decisions against Demirtaş and his comrades can be seen as punishment for their role in confronting extremism and terrorism, and for their efforts to secure the rights of their people and equality among minorities in Kurdistan and Turkey. Ultimately, these sentences align with the interests of those who oppose freedom, peace, and democracy.
Selahattin Demirtaş is regarded as a representative of the new generation of Kurdish fighters, democratic leaders, and peace advocates in northern Kurdistan and Turkey.
He is recognised as a courageous defender of Kurdish ethnonational rights, equality, freedom, democracy, and a staunch supporter of minority rights. Therefore, his continued incarceration and the increasingly harsh sentences imposed on him for his political activities and beliefs represent a blatant violation and disregard for democratic values and human rights.
Selahattin Demirtaş’ struggle as a defender of human and minority rights holds immense symbolic and inspirational value for freedom fighters, activists, and democrats across the Middle East and the world. His fight for justice and equality against tyranny, violence, and extremism resonates deeply.
This arbitrary sentencing and continued incarceration will have significant negative effects. They profoundly impact public political life in Kurdistan and Turkey, causing great harm to the efforts of coexistence, reconciliation, and civil peace.
Even behind bars, Selahattin Demirtaş and his comrades stand at the forefront of defending the values of tolerance, pluralism, and coexistence among the peoples of the Middle East, particularly the Kurds and Turks.
It is our duty to firmly support their cause and demand their unconditional release, as they deserve freedom and dignity more than their oppressors. We firmly believe that their continued incarceration represents a blatant disregard for the law and fundamental human rights principles. The unjust rulings of the Turkish judiciary serve as punishment and revenge not only against Demirtaş and his comrades but also against all advocates of peace, justice, and equality in Kurdistan, Turkey, and beyond. As is well known, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has deemed the continued incarceration of Selahattin Demirtaş and his comrades a violation of fundamental rights enshrined in international law, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Consequently, the ECHR has repeatedly called on and urged the Turkish government to release Selahattin Demirtaş immediately.
The court has recognised all violations of his basic rights under these international agreements. It is important to note that Turkey is a signatory to these treaties and charters and is therefore obligated to implement their decisions and principles, and to comply with their standards without delay.
Based on our humanitarian and national commitment, we, the signatories and founders of this initiative, call upon the international and Kurdistan communities, including all their institutions and civil and political forces, to unite and take action in urging the Turkish authorities to immediately release Selahattin Demirtaş and his comrades. We emphasize that the continued incarceration and injustice against them is a profound affront to the values of peace, justice, and equality. We must not remain silent or neutral in the face of such oppression.
For the sake of justice and peace, freedom for Demirtaş and his comrades.
The Kurdistan Initiative for the freedom
of Selahattin Demirtaş and His Comrades
