Demirtaş: Discriminatory Policies Shouldn't Demoralize Us

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Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has called for solidarity against "the discriminatory policies of the government," in a statement released on his Twitter account.

Having been imprisoned since October 2016, Demirtaş continues to stay behind bars despite a newly enacted law to reduce the prison population due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The government's discriminatory practices shouldn't demoralize us. Because we are not hopeless," Demirtaş said. "For hope and morale, we should look at each other, not the Palace. We must strengthen solidarity and help one another. Because bright and beautiful days come only in this way."

He also said, "We should never forget the injustice and unfairness done in this period."

"Not the governments, but solidarity, goodness and love will save us. Don't be upset. Take care of your health. Our hearts and prayers are with you," Demirtaş concluded his message.

The government recently passed a law to reduce prison sentences and release up to 90 thousand prisoners. However, those convicted or remanded due to the Anti-Terror law, for which many journalists and politicians are behind bars, were exempted from the prison release.

Lawyers had told bianet that it was against the principle of equality before the law.

Attorneys of Demirtaş applied for his release in early April, stating that he was in the risk group of the Covid-19 disease because of hypertension, respiratory and heart diseases. (EMK/VK)