On 17 June, gunmen killed Deniz Poyraz, a female member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) at its offices in Turkey's western city of Izmir. The attackers also set the HDP building on fire. Deniz Poyraz was murdered by a government-supported fascist who feeds on chauvinism and male domination. HDP members hanged a banner on the party building months ago that draws attention to femicide and supports the Istanbul Convention!

The fascist Erdoğan, who remains in power with the support of the EU and NATO, and his ultranationalist ally Bahçeli are trying to criminalise and target the HDP at every opportunity. Now, they are attempting to suppress the HDP with armed attacks and provocations. The attackers take courage from the statements of Erdoğan, Bahçeli, the interior minister Soylu and the patting on the back of those who murdered the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and Kurdish human rights activist-lawyer Tahir Elçi!

As the government sees that it is losing power, the AKP-MHP coalition is setting the country on fire to avoid being held accountable for its crimes. All peace and democracy advocates must see that the armed attack against the HDP by the fascist coalition is directed not only against the HDP but also against all the peoples and democratic forces of Turkey.

This war coalition has been bombing the mountains of Kurdistan for months and trying to invade Southern Kurdistan after Rojava. The continuation of wars and conflicts will mean that hundreds of thousands of people risk losing their lives, and millions being forced from their homes.

If we do not stop the fascist coalition that paved the way for the Ankara massacre on 10 October 2015, one of the bloodiest attacks in Turkey's history, they will continue to go down a much bloodier and more chaotic path.

Erdoğan's long arm also stretches to Europe. The agents with grey passports sent to Europe by Erdoğan and the gangs that are the extensions of the mafia and drug lords with close relations to the Turkish government are seeking bloody provocations — not only in Turkey but also in Europe.

European states must end their support for Erdoğan, who is perpetrating war in the Middle East, stoking a civil war in Turkey, supporting attacks against women, and massacres against Kurds and Alevis. Democratic European public opinion should take action to push their governments and force them to stop the economic, political and military support given to fascist Erdoğan.

We call on everyone who supports dialogue against conflict, peace against war, democracy against fascism, to stand with the HDP now.

The Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) is a Turkish political party and member of the Progressive International.

Photo: Flickr