The Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party condemned recent attacks on Kurdish cultural practices and daily life in Turkey with a press statement on Thursday. The statement highlighted the ongoing war against Kurdish culture and language and criticised those applauding this fascism, warning that it drives society towards dangerous waters.
In their written statement, titled “We will not bow down to the political mind identified with 12 September fascism”, in a reference to the 1980 coup in Turkey, the DEM Party emphasised the organised nature of these attacks. “We are witnessing a dangerously orchestrated perception operation over the past week. Animosity extending from Kurdish daily and cultural practices to politics is being normalised. Various social media accounts simultaneously criminalise almost every act of young Kurds, from their clothing to their dancing. This racism, legitimised by political forces, deeply divides society,” the statement read.
The party underscored that the manifestations of fascism are present everywhere, from streets to weddings, the Parliament and social media. Those who support this organised display of fascism are leading society into perilous waters. The statement clarified that these provocations are part of a war on Kurdish culture and language.
The DEM Party specifically called out the Interior Ministry for enabling these organised crimes through its statements, which the party believes lay the groundwork for such actions. Instead of normalising these crimes, the ministry should act immediately to prevent this lynch mentality and hold those responsible accountable, they warned.
“Stop committing open hate and racism against Kurds. Everyday Kurdish clothing is not a crime, dancing the halay (traditional Kurdish dance) is not a crime, and making the victory sign is not a crime, but every action against these practices is a crime and blatant racism. We will not bow down to the political mind identified with 12 September fascism, nor to those inspired by Esat Oktay (an infamous torturer during the 1980 coup). We will continue to uphold our values, democracy and freedom with the strongest commitment,” they concluded.
Recent events in Mersin and Ağrı (Agirî) have brought to light ongoing issues of discrimination and repression faced by the Kurdish community in Turkey.
In Mersin, nine Kurdish youths were formally arrested on charges of “making terrorist organisation propaganda” after sharing a video on social media that showed them dancing to a Kurdish song and chanting slogans. The arrests, which occurred over a month after the video was posted, have been widely criticised as part of a broader campaign against Kurdish cultural expression. The detainees were allegedly subjected to psychological torture, including being forced to listen to the ultra-nationalist song “Ölürüm Türkiyem” in a police vehicle, with footage of their faces shared online. Despite some of the detained youths not being present at the event, they were still arrested, highlighting the perceived arbitrariness and discrimination in the enforcement of the law.
In a similar incident in Ağrı’s Doğubayazıt (Bazîd) district, police raided a wedding where Kurdish songs were played, and traditional dances were performed. Six individuals, including the wedding hall owner and musicians, were arrested on charges of “making terrorist propaganda.” Although they were later released, the incident underscores the pervasive scrutiny and criminalisation of Kurdish cultural practices.
Additionally, the Turkish military was recently accused of enforcing a rule requiring the display of the Turkish flag at all outdoor weddings in Çukurca (Çelê) in Hakkari (Colemêrg). This mandate has been followed up with military raids and threats against those who resist.
