"We are concerned that the crimes of the Erdogan regime and human rights violations will be overshadowed by the first humanitarian summit. We consider it necessary to convey to you the full depth of the political and humanitarian crisis in our country… We firmly believe that one of the main objectives of the summit should be the development of an appropriate position regarding the alarming humanitarian situation in our home, and the development of prospects for its resolution," Figen Yuksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas said in an open letter published on the party's website.
The United Nation's first World Humanitarian Summit kicked off in Turkey's Istanbul earlier in the day. The two-day summit is attended by some 5,000 government officials, as well as representatives from business and non-government organizations. The participants are expected to decide on steps to be taken toward ending conflicts and stepping up humanitarian relief.