On 15 May, Kurdish Language Day, Turkey’s Kurdish Language Platform called for Kurdish to be recognised as an official language in the country, declaring, “Our language is our red line.”
The statement, released in Dağkapı Square in Diyarbakır (Amed), was read out in the Kurmancî dialect of Kurdish by Şerefxan Cizîrî, spokesperson for the Kurdish Language Platform. Cemile Turhallı, spokesperson for the Language and Culture Commission of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, then read it out in a the Kirdikî dialect. The main emphasis of the statement was the ongoing struggle for linguistic rights. The event also saw the participation of DEM Party Co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan, Kurdistan Freedom Party leader Ayetullah Aşiti, DEM Party MPs and civil society representatives, and many of the watching public were in traditional Kurdish costume.
Şerefxan Cizîrî highlighted the historical and cultural importance of Kurdish, stating, “Since 2007, we have celebrated 15 May with national spirit and love for and awareness of our language.” He condemned state policies aiming to erase the Kurdish identity, describing them as systematic attempts to undermine Kurdish resistance through the suppression of language.
“The assimilation policies targeting Kurdish culture, language and identity have historically led to conflict,” said Cizîrî, adding that these policies have caused persistent dissatisfaction among Kurds since the founding of the Turkish Republic. He argued that a democratic, equal and developed society requires mutual acceptance and legal reforms to ensure linguistic freedoms. “We want Kurdish to be an official language and a language of education,” he said.
Cizîrî pushed for broader use of Kurdish in all aspects of life, from private homes to public institutions, in order to preserve and promote Kurdish identity. “We will always speak, read, write and live in Kurdish,” he asserted. “This is our stand to raise awareness and make Kurdish a fundamental part of our identity. Now is the time for Kurdish.”
