‘Kurdistan’ Penalty for HDP MP Osman Baydemir

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Following the budget discussion held at parliament, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Şanlıurfa MP Osman Baydemir has said that the parliament should embrace everyone.

“What I want as a Kurdish person, as a representative coming from Kurdistan is a common Turkish-Kurdish roof”, Baydemir said. Baydemir faced negative reactions from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) MPs as he used the word “Kurdistan”.

Bahçekapılı: Where is Kurdistan? Baydemir: Right here

Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Deputy President Ayşenur Bahçekapılı asked Baydemir, “Where is Kurdistan?”. Showing his heart with his hand, Baydemir said, “Right here Mrs. President, Kurdistan is right here”.

The penalty of taking Baydemir out of the parliament temporarily was proposed due to his “Kurdistan” word.

Upon the proposal, HDP Mardin MP Mithat Sancar said, “If there is an intention of a general penalty, it is racism, denialism. If this penalty is issued, that will be a disgrace”.

Responding to Sancar’s statement, Bahçekapılı said that the proposal was given due to his statement that “I am a Kurdistan MP”, not over “Kurdistan”.

Baydemir was suspended from two sessions and fined to pay 12 thousand liras (2,660 Euros).

Baydemir left the parliament doing victory sign. (PT/TK)