A group of lawmakers from the Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party) staged a protest inside the Turkish Grand National Assembly, demanding the release of Selahattin Demirtas and the implementation of rulings issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Protest Inside the Parliament Hall

During a parliamentary session, DEM Party deputies stood up and began applauding, prompting tension and interruptions to the proceedings.

Reason for the Protest

The protest came in response to the Turkish government’s decision to appeal a European Court of Human Rights ruling that called for the release of former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas, who has been imprisoned since 2016.

Slogans and Banners for Freedom

Lawmakers held up photographs of Selahattin Demirtas and other detainees in the Kobane case, chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Demirtas” and “Implement the court rulings!” for several minutes.