"The OSCE Special Coordinator for the upcoming early Turkey Elections, with Nacho Sanchez Amor, held a 90-minute substantive meeting today with HDP’s presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas in Edirne’s high security prison in Turkey," the organization tweeted of the parliamentarian from Spain's visit.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCEPA) focuses on upholding "commitments in human rights, security, economic & environmental cooperation."
“Over the past two days, I have met many dedicated men and women who share a desire for a democratic and prosperous Turkey,” Amor stated.
"Candidates, journalists, election officials, activists and Turkish citizens from all walks of life all want to see Turkey succeed, and it is with them in mind that we will conduct a professional and fair-minded election observation mission of these early presidential and parliamentary elections," added Amor.
Meetings were also held with representatives of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Republican People’s Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Good Party (IYI), and the Patriotic Party (Vatan).
"Topics of discussion included the state of emergency that has been in force in Turkey since 2016," read the statement.
OSCE MPs will be present at polling station "in several regions for election day," along with collegues from the Assemly of the Council of Europe.
Demirtas, who is leading the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) into Turkey's presidential election on June 24, has been jailed since November 2016 alongside 11 HDP lawmakers over alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Demirtas and the HDP deny the allegations.
They met with the HDP on May 9 to discuss Turkey's presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections being held under a State of Emergency, which has been re-imposed since the failed military coup of 2016.
The OSCEPA has taken a proactive role ahead of the elections meeting with political leaders, as well as Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK).
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Last updated at 11:06 p.m.
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