ISTANBU -“Our support is for fraternity and equality of people,” said the representatives of the Circassian people, who announced that they will support the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş in the elections to be held in Turkey on June 24.

 

Electoral campaigns for the elections to be held in Tukey on June 24 are going on. More than two millions Circassians living in Turkey will vote in the upcoming elections. The Circassians, who keep their struggle for their native language and for recognition of the Circassian Genocide, announced that they will support the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş in the upcoming elections.

 

A film director Ayben Altunç said, “I am a Circassian and a woman. I think the party represents the both is the HDP. I believe in the HDP. I have voted for the HDP for years and I support the HDP and its presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş in the elections. I never regret supporting them.” Ayben lastly called on all people to vote for the HDP.

 

‘HDP can represent the Circassians’

 

“I will vote for a candidate standing by democracy, human rights and laws in the elections,” Handan Demiröz said, “As Circassian people; we have many demands particularly for keeping our language and culture alive. We want to keep our culture alive. This may be on a territory where all people of Turkey are free and equal. I don’t want this just for the Circassian people, I want this for all peoples of Turkey. And just HDP can achieve this.”

 

‘There is still hope if the HDP exists’

 

“I support the HDP in the upcoming elections and I will work for the HDP,” Hicran Bolat said, “The HDP never disappoints me. Knowing that the HDP still exists on this territory makes me feel hopeful. There is still hope if the HDP exists, we will never leave our hope.”