Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the detention of several HDP Members, including the party's co-chairs

The European Union is gravely concerned about the detention last night of several HDP Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on charges alleging support of terrorist activities. Among those detained are the party's co-chairs Ms. Figen Yüksekdağ and Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş, both democratically elected leaders and our trusted and valued interlocutors.

These developments add to the concerns we expressed after the immunity of more than 130 democratically elected Members of Parliament was lifted in May this year. They compromise parliamentary democracy in Turkey and exacerbate the already very tense situation in the South East of the country, for which there can only be a political solution.

The EU i considers actions against PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation also by the EU, as legitimate. At the same time the EU believes that such actions must never undermine the basic principles of democracy.

We expect Turkey to safeguard its parliamentary democracy, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, and we are conveying these expectations directly to the Turkish authorities. Together with the Council of Europe, the EU will continue to follow and assess the situation very closely, in constant coordination with all Member States.

IP/16/3608