İHD: Attacks were carried out in 6 Aegean cities
İZMİR (DİHA) - İHD Aegean Regional Representative Ali Aydır gave data on the attacks that have taken place in the Aegean region and stated that HDP got attacked in 6 towns.
Aydın pointed out that hateful speech such as "terrorists, traitors, we’re going to get you!", often employed by several politicians, has an important role in these attacks.
IHD (Human Rights Association) İzmir branch held a press conference on the attacks that have so far targeted political parties during their campaigns prior to the June 7 elections. İHD Regional Representative Ali Aydır stressed on political parties and independent candidates’ freedom to make election propaganda freely.
Aydın pointed out that state institutions should be taking the necessary precautions for a healthy election but the security forces have not taken any effective measures to prevent these racist attacks.
Aydın reported that security forces respond to the attackers only by making statements such as "We understand your sensitivity" and "We will take down the flag ourselves." Aydın pointed out that hateful speech such as "terrorists, traitors, we’re going to get you!", often employed by several politicians, has an crucial role in these attacks.
Quoting the report on attacks countrywide that IHD had released on May 20, Aydın highlighted that HDP got attacked 114 times whereas all other parties received 12 attacks. Several attacks took place in the Aegean region during the election campaigns, primarily in cities such as Uşak, Kütahya, Isparta, Balıkesir, and Karşıyaka and Isparta more recently.
Aydın stated that "hateful and grudging" discourses now dominate over rule of law and ethics, which in turn fosters an environment where polarizing, antidemocratic and unethical statements are employed with the purpose of winning elections.
(nt)
