Hakkari (Colemêrg)
The Newroz celebration in Hakkari province was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the recent earthquakes. Despite the cold weather, the event saw an impressive turnout, with banners reading “We are with the HDP for our future,” “We will change together,” and “Now it is the time for the youth” hanging in the celebration area.
Those attending the celebration included Peace Mothers, Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) Group Deputy Chairperson Meral Danış Beştaş, HDP MP for Hakkari Sait Dede, former HDP MP Abdullah Zeydan, as well as several HDP and Green Left Party (YSP) provincial and district executives.
The event featured speeches, with Dede referring to the recent Maraş-based earthquake, noting that the state’s efforts before and after the earthquake were inadequate. Dede criticised the ruling coalition of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for their persistent refusal to solve the Kurdish issue and the imposition of isolation on Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) .
He added that Öcalan, who has been in isolation for 24 years in Turkey, should be allowed to speak as soon as possible.
HDP’s Beştaş also spoke, noting that the government always distorts the facts, and that the Kurdish people will never forget Öcalan. She emphasised that the door of İmralı Island is the door to peace, and that the key that opens the door to İmralı Island is in the hands of the people.
A letter sent by the imprisoned former co-Mayor of Hakkari Municipality Dilek Hatimoğlu, was read out as part of the event. After the reading of the letter, Beştaş, Dede, and local politicians lit the Newroz fire.
Ağrı (Agirî)
Thousands of people attended the Newroz celebrations held in Newroz Park in Ağrı, where slogans calling for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan dominated the chants. Participants wore traditional Kurdish costume, with a noticeable presence of women and young people.
Several political parties, including the Green Left Party (YSP) and the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), as well as trade unions, were represented at the event.
Speakers at the event criticised the government’s handling of recent natural disasters, with HDP MP for Van, Sezai Temelli accusing the government of spending earthquake relief funds on military expenses instead of helping affected communities. Temelli also emphasised the importance of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan as the key to resolving the ongoing crisis and turmoil in the country.
Ardahan (Erdexan)
The Newroz celebration in Ardahan was organised by several political parties and organisations including the HDP, YSP, Free Women’s Movement (TJA), and Democratic Regions Party (DBP). As people flocked into the event along Kongre Street, they chanted the slogan “Her der Newroz, her dem Azadî” (Everywhere Newroz, Always Freedom). HDP MPs Murat Sarısaç, Züleyha Gülüm, and Diba Keskin attended the event as speakers, and they criticised the government’s policies on the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and the oppression of women and young people.
Elazığ (Xarpêt)
The Old Bus Station in the Dep district of Elazığ hosted the Newroz event in the province, and HDP and YSP flags flew there. Several HDP and DBP members gave speeches at the event, calling for the end to AKP oppression and the release of political prisoners. Asiye Koçak, a member of the DBP party executive, said, “Dep’s Newroz is important for us. Dep’s Newroz is the Newroz of the oppressed.”
Erzurum (Erzirom)
Thousands attended the Newroz event in the Karayazı (Gogsî) district of Erzurum despite the cold weather. The DBP Erzurum branch co-Chair Ramazan Karakaş emphasised the importance of solidarity in overcoming the aftermath of the recent earthquakes, and HDP Urfa MP for (Riha) Ömer Öcalan called for the door of İmralı, where Abdullah Öcalan is held, to be opened.
The celebrations ended with music and dance performances by various artists.
