US ‘deeply concerned’ over HDP arrests, internet restrictions in Turkey

WASHINGTON

Washington has expressed its concern over the arrests of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers and the restrictions on the internet.

“The United States is deeply concerned by the Turkish Government’s detentions of opposition members of parliament, including the co-chairs of the HDP, and by government restrictions on internet access today,” State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said on Nov. 4. 

“Deputy Secretary Blinken spoke this morning with Turkish – the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Yalcin and raised these concerns. He made clear that when democracies pursue legal action against an elected representative, they must do so in a manner that reinforces the public’s confidence in rule of law, and that restricting the internet undermines confidence in Turkey’s democracy and economic prosperity,” he added.

Kirby also condemned the Nov. 4 car bomb attack in Diyarbakır which killed at least nine people.

“We wish the wounded a speedy recovery and offer our deepest condolences to all the loved ones of those who lost their lives,” Kirby said.

“We again call on the PKK to cease its senseless, brutal attacks, and we continue to stand by our friend and ally Turkey in this fight.”