Eyyüp Subaşı, former co-chair of Istanbul’s Kurdish Research Association, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in connection with his work on Kurdish language and culture. Subaşı was arrested a year ago, and his sentencing, delivered on Thursday, is being condemned by many observers as part of a larger crackdown on Kurdish cultural activities in Turkey.
The Kurdish Research Association, founded in 2017 and based in İstanbul, has been dedicated to promoting Kurdish language and multiculturalism through publications, language courses and cultural events. These efforts have taken on heightened importance in the face of Turkey’s historical policies aimed at marginalising Kurdish identity.
Kurdish culture faces renewed repression amid growing crackdown in Turkey
In a public statement following the sentencing, the Kurdish Research Association described the ruling as unlawful and a deliberate attempt to criminalise Kurdish cultural and linguistic activities. “The court unlawfully sentenced him to 6 years and 3 months in prison,” said the Association, urging the public to speak out against this injustice. “The sole purpose of these incidents is to criminalise and stop Kurdish activities,” the statement continued.
Subaşı’s sentencing of comes amid a broader pattern of repression against Kurdish cultural expression in Turkey. The Turkish state’s stance on the Kurdish language and its speakers has been criticised by human rights organisations for its heavy-handedness. Recently, authorities have also targeted Kurdish weddings and cultural events, further limiting the public use of the language and restricting cultural practices.
The Kurdish Research Association called for solidarity and resistance against these measures, stating, “We ask the public not to remain silent in the face of these unjust attacks and penalties.”
