US: Turkey’s firm democracy to decide fate of HDP members

The State Department said Friday that Turkey had well-established democratic procedures in place to determine the legal circumstances of two pro-Kurdish party members blamed for promoting terrorism.     

"We'd expect that Turkey will obviously follow its own democratic procedures in that regard," spokesman Mark Toner said in response to a question about an investigation into Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs.

Figen Yuksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas face allegations of "terrorist propaganda" and "inciting violence", respectively, for remarks backing the pro-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD) and PYD's armed wing (YPG) in Syria.   

PYD is the Syrian extension of PKK in northern Iraq that Turkey considers a terrorist organization.  

Under Turkish law, lawmakers accused of committing crimes have the right to immunity, unless parliament waives the right.  

If the office of the country’s chief prosecutor decides against Yuksekdag and Demirtas, parliament will demand immunity be removed.  

Toner also reiterated the U.S. position that Turkey has the right to self-defense and urged the PKK to end violence and "recommit themselves to the peace process".

A process to end the 30-year conflict between Turkey and PKK insurgents began in 2013.

The process was stalled after the murder of Turkish police officers and soldiers earlier this month for which the PKK has claimed responsibility.