Co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) called for a joint struggle for democracy, peace and freedom and for an end to one-man rule in Turkey.

Speaking at the congress of the party’s branch in Dersim on Sunday, Mithat Sancar said an alliance for democracy was the only way out of the current political crisis.

“We need an alliance for democracy. We need to build this alliance on the basis of a joint struggle. By giving strength to one another through our differences, we will enable a life that is shared equally by all bringing democracy, peace and freedom. There is no other way.”

Sancar also criticised the recent increase in the price of electricity, and the way community centres of Alevis, or ‘the Cemevis’ were forced to pay commercial rates.

“While price hikes in electricity continue to enrich a few capitalists, they are used at the same time as a mean of discrimination against different beliefs,” he said.

“For example, the Galip Dede Cemevi was asked to pay 30,000 Turkish liras [an invoice for a single month amounting to over 2,000 US dollars]. It’s even higher for the Şahkulu Cemevi. Because these are not considered as places of worship. If they were, their water and electricity costs would be subsidised. They have categorised Cemevis as ‘commercial subscribers’, and priced their power consumption accordingly. This is discrimination. It’s one of the worst examples of discriminatory policies against the Alevi belief.”

Sancar also drew attention to the fact that the recent US operation against top ISIS leader was carried out in a territory next to the Turkish border.

“It demonstrates that they were able to find shelter and set up a base within the perimeters of this administration’s security zone. It reveals that they provided grounds for the most brutal group in history to go on living,” he said.