Turkish gov't seeks to strip 28 opposition MPs, including HDP co-chair, of parliamentary immunity

Duvar English

Turkey's parliament has received fresh summary of proceedings seeking to have legislative immunity lifted of 28 opposition lawmakers.

The Joint Constitution and Justice Committee of Parliament will examine the summary of proceedings prepared by the prosecutors.

The proposals target 25 lawmakers of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), including co-chair Pervin Buldan, as well as Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) lawmaker Barış Atay Mengüllüoğlu, main opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Salihe Aydeniz.

In order for a legal action to start against a deputy, prosecutors prepare a summary of proceedings. The proposal is then forwarded, respectively, to the Justice Ministry, the presidency and parliament. If the General Assembly of parliament votes to strip the deputy of their immunity from prosecution, they are tried by courts.

A number of HDP deputies were stripped of their statuses in the past and scores of party members, including former lawmakers, are currently imprisoned.

In 2021, Turkish authorities launched a new lawsuit to close the HDP.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) continues to criminalize and target opposition voices, while presenting fictitious “reform” and “rights-based proposals” to the West. 

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