Co-Chair of Human Rights Association Eren Keskin criticizes opposition party CHP’s selective approach to Kurdish and refugee issues amid rising racism in Turkey

ANKARA — Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) is facing criticism for its selective stance on the Kurdish issue and its handling of racism against ethnic minorities and refugees.

Eren Keskin, Co-chair of the Human Rights Association, spoke to Mezopotamya Agency, warning that hate speech and racist attacks have become systematic. She highlighted the role of the Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP), an ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP), in spreading hate speech.

Keskin noted that the racist and exclusionary rhetoric of the MHP has dominated Turkish domestic politics and rapidly permeated society, especially when echoed by official authorities.

She criticized the CHP for its silence on these issues, accusing the party of selectively addressing certain victims while ignoring others. Keskin cited incidents of Kurdish-speaking individuals being targeted, violent protests against Syrian refugees, and the lack of legal action against racist behavior, particularly on social media.

She emphasized the need to confront hate speech and racism in Turkey’s multi-ethnic society, warning that its unchecked spread could lead to grave consequences.