Thursday’s mass Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır (Amed), the heart of Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast, were marked by calls for renewed talks between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to resolve the Kurdish conflict, as the Turkish government prepares for a new large-scale operation in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Turkish authorities reportedly did not allow the media to take drone footage of the Newroz celebrations, which were attended by an estimated one and a half million people. Turkish police cracked down on participants on the grounds, determining that their traditional dress could be seen as propaganda for an illegal organisation. They arrested over 200 people, including children, on this basis.
However, despite the restrictions and adverse weather conditions, the celebrations were marked by enthusiasm and a determined call for peace. Key political figures called for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey and the arena was filled with messages calling for Kurdish recognition and language rights.
Veteran politician calls for peace
A major highlight was the appearance of veteran Kurdish politician Leyla Zana, who took to the stage after an eight-year hiatus to emphasise the Kurdish community’s desire for peace and freedom. Zana was a key figure in the 2013 peace talks.
Paying tribute to historical Kurdish leaders, Zana told the audience, “Newroz belongs to all celebrants, but it embodies the spirit of Mazlum Doğan, Zekiye Alkan and Rehşan Demirel,” recalling individuals who sacrificed themselves for the Kurdish cause.
“The Kurdish people have not given in to a century of oppression and we will show our determination in the upcoming local elections,” Zana said. She went on to express her desire to promote the path to freedom and peace after the local elections.
Political stance on peace talks
Political figures present at the festival also reiterated the importance of addressing the Kurdish issue, amid denials by both the Turkish authorities and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of any ongoing negotiations. Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson for the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), underlined the stalled peace process, which she attributed largely to the continued isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in solitary confinement since 1999.
Background to the Kurdish conflict
The celebrations take place against the backdrop of a long-standing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish population, which is seeking rights and recognition. The peace process initiated in 2013, which briefly promised greater freedoms for the Kurds, stalled in 2015, plunging the region back into tension. Current discussions revolve around the potential for renewed dialogue, with imprisoned leaders such as Selahattin Demirtaş stressing the need for direct talks between Öcalan and the Turkish authorities.
Tuncer Bakırhan, co-leader of the DEM Party, called for a democratic reassessment of the Turkish-Kurdish alliance and advocated peace over conflict. This call comes in the light of Turkey’s continued military actions against PKK positions in Iraqi Kurdistan and the recent moves by the Iraqi government, in coordination with Ankara, to combat the PKK.
The celebration also featured international artists, including Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi, highlighting the global resonance of the Kurdish struggle and culture. Insisting on the recognition of the Kurdish language and rejecting the pejorative terms used in Turkish parliamentary discourse was a key message of the festival leaders.
Significance of Newroz
Newroz has a deep significance for Kurds, symbolising resistance and hope for freedom in the midst of a history of oppression. The widespread participation in Diyarbakır and throughout the Kurdish regions underlines the enduring spirit of the community and its desire for recognition and peace.
