Turkish parliament lifts immunity of HDP MP Semra Güzel

Turkish parliament on March 1 voted to lift the immunity of HDP MP Semra Güzel on accusations of terrorism. Some 313 deputies voted in favor of lifting Güzel's immunity while 52 deputies voted against it.

Wednesday March 02 2022 11:45 am

Duvar English

Turkish parliament on March 1 lifted the legislative immunity of pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Semra Güzel.

While a total of 313 deputies voted in favor of lifting Güzel's immunity, 52 voted against it.

Earlier this year, Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation into Güzel following accusations that she was linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

During the peace process between the Turkish state and the group, Güzel visited a PKK camp in 2014, and she was photographed standing next to PKK member Volkan Bora. The HDP said that the visit was at the behest of the state, while the ruling coalition has accused her of membership in the group.

HDP Group Deputy Chairman Saruhan Oluç made a defense on Güzel's behalf at the General Assembly on March 1.

In the defense, Oluç said that during the peace process, many people had gone to PKK camps and they could not be referred to as PKK members.

Following the defense, the MPs took a vote at the General Assembly and decided to lift Güzel's immunity.

Previously, during the commission process, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), opposition İYİ (Good) Party and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) had voted in favor of lifting the deputy's immunity. This attitude did not change in the General Assembly voting either.