Çiğdem Lenna Aslan, a 51-year-old Australian Kurdish activist, was arrested by Turkish authorities at İstanbul Airport on 15 September as she attempted to board her flight back to Melbourne.
Aslan, a mother of two and a prominent figure in Melbourne’s Kurdish community, has long been involved in humanitarian work and Kurdish cultural advocacy. The Turkish state news agency Anadolu published a story alleging that she is involved in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which they regard as a terrorist organisation.
Aslan has been an outspoken advocate for Kurdish cultural rights and is a former co-chair of the Federation of Democratic Kurdish Society-Australia (FDKSA). She has lived in Australia for over 25 years, working with refugees and promoting human rights. Her arrest has raised alarm within Australia’s Kurdish community, with many fearing that she will not receive a fair trial in Turkey, where the judicial system is known for its harsh stance against Kurdish political figures.
Sue Bolton, a Merri-Bek City councillor and long-time friend of Aslan, expressed her disbelief over the arrest in an interview with Seven News: “She’s a humanitarian, she’s a human rights activist. She absolutely is not someone who harms people. She tries to prevent harm to people.”
Bolton is urging the Australian government to demand Aslan’s immediate release. “The Australian government should object strenuously to Çiğdem’s arrest and detention,” she added, calling for an end to the persecution of Kurdish and pro-Kurdish activists.
Peter Boyle, Medya News contributor and the Green Left Journal columnist, has reported that Aslan’s case is part of a broader crackdown by the Turkish authorities on Kurdish Australians. Greens Senator David Shoebridge raised concerns about Turkish intelligence operations allegedly monitoring Kurdish Australians, calling the situation “a serious attack on the rights and freedoms of the Kurdish Australian diaspora.”
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Aslan, but concerns remain over the likelihood of her receiving a fair trial under the current Turkish judicial system.
Aslan’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of the Turkish authorities targeting Kurdish individuals. Kurdish activists, political figures, and community leaders who live abroad and visit Turkey frequently face detention upon their return.
