HDP co-chairwoman Pervin Buldan said on Thursday, February 21, that the upcoming election is important for the Kurds in Turkey, especially in light of the continued detention of HDP members by the Turkish government.

Buldan added Turkey's Kurdish parties were going through a “very difficult period of intense pressure and intervention” by the Turkish government, NRT reported.

“Our goal is to take back the municipalities that [were] seized by the trustees,” Buldan said, referring to the officials appointed by Ankara to run cities and towns in place of detained HDP mayors.

“This is the only way to put an end to these fascist conditions, the pressures that are being applied, and the policies of violence,” she continued.

“With trust and hope, we will achieve great victory.”

On January 7, eight Kurdish parties, movements, and associations in Turkey joined forces to contest the March 31 local elections.

The parties will enter the contest the elections under the auspices of the HDP, which is the most prominent pro-Kurdish party in Turkey.

Reporter’s code: 50101