04/12/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Saturday 2 December, members of the Party of European Socialists (PES) called for the release of eight member of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) and one member of the Republican People's Party (CHP) – two Turkish parties affiliated to the PES. "To restore the rule of law and improve democratic politics in Turkey, we call for the immediate release of elected members of parliament (...) and all other prisoners of conscience in Turkey", they stated in a resolution adopted during their congress. They also stated that the members of parliament had "arbitrarily been detained because of their critical views regarding the government". "It is clear to us that these detentions are arbitrary and politically motivated", the PES states, adding that there is no separation of powers in Turkey and that the judiciary "is under direct and heavy pressure of the government". (CG)