From in-depth analysis to historical narrative, our 2023 long reads demonstrate the resilience and diversity of voices in a region torn by conflict. These articles provide a comprehensive backdrop to ensure that readers grasp the intricate tapestry of events, issues and stories that unfolded throughout 2023.
From HEP to DEM: The evolution of pro-Kurdish parties on Turkey’s political scene
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) emerged in 2023 as the latest in a line of Kurdish political parties. But the country has a long history of banning pro-Kurdish parties since the movement’s first steps onto the political scene in the 1990s.
From HEP to HEDEP: Journey of pro-Kurdish parties on Turkey’s political scene
The Şenyaşar family: relentless pursuit of justice
The Şenyaşar family, who lost three members in an incident in 2018 involving relatives of a then ruling party deputy, took their vigil for justice to Ankara this year. The family is demanding the arrest of former AKP deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız, whom they hold responsible for the murders, and justice for Fadıl Şenyaşar, a family member who was severely injured in the incident and sentenced to more than twice as long as the main suspect in the murder of the three Şenyaşars.
Turkey: Kurdish family to repeat demands for justice for slain relatives at coming trial
Turkey’s web of deceit
Our three-part series takes a close look at the AKP’s social media war, from anti-opposition conspiracies to revisiting the Gezi protests and exposing media manipulation scandals.
AKP’s social media warfare-1: Anti-opposition conspiracies invade Twitter ahead of elections
AKP’s social media warfare-3: What bird has the longest beak?
Turkey-Syria earthquakes
Medya News’ Turkey and Syria earthquake diaries present a detailed timeline of the aftermath of one of the century’s deadliest natural disasters amid decades of conflict.
Turkey’s judicial dilemma, Erdoğan’s push for a new constitution
The final weeks of 2023 saw a legal battle between the country’s top courts.
On 8 November, the Court of Cassation refused to recognise a decision by the Constitutional Court to release imprisoned opposition MP Can Atalay and filed a criminal complaint against the members of the Constitutional Court.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, the rulings of the Constitutional Court are final and the legislative, executive and administrative branches are obliged to comply with the Court’s rulings without modification or delay.
Analysts suggest that the ongoing judicial crisis in Turkey is a calculated move by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to strengthen its long-standing demand for constitutional changes.
Turkish president pushes for constitutional change as courts clash over prominent political prisoner
HÜDA-PAR and the concept of ‘Kurdish Hamas’: a critical analysis by Amed Dicle
Kurdish journalist Amed Dicle takes a close look at the concept of a ‘Kurdish Hamas’ after the Erdoğan-allied extremist HÜDA-PAR (Free Cause Party) put up a poster of a Hamas spokesman on the historic walls of Diyarbakır (Amed).
In this detailed long read, Dicle explores the notorious history of HÜDA-PAR, its links to the murderous Islamist organisation Hizbullah, which was later admitted to have been promoted by the state to weaken the Kurdish movement in the 1990s, and its possible connection to the concept of a “Kurdish Hamas”.
Who is the ‘Kurdish Hamas’, what is it and whose project is it?
Story of Kobani
When ISIS besieged the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani (Kobanê) in 2014, the world united in solidarity. Prominent figures from around the world joined the call fNS showed their support for Kobanê’s struggle against the brutal forces. Despite Turkey’s refusal to join the fight against ISIS, Kobani has stood strong. Today it faces a new threat from Turkish forces.
In the midst of war: Öcalan’s unique approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has expressed his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in legal submissions to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). As the war in Gaza rages on with no sign of abating, at a time when the world seems powerless to stop this war, and public trust in international bodies erodes with each passing day as this reality becomes more apparent, this comprehensive three-part series on Öcalan’s vision for a lasting peace is the most relevant and stimulating long read of 2023 in Medya News.
Crackdown continues 10 years on
2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the nationwide Gezi protests, which still resonate as a defining moment in Turkey’s history: a long read summary of the government’s crackdown on Gezi-inspired dissent and its unfolding legacy.
Decade on: Gezi Park protests still resonate as defining moment in Turkey’s history
Layers of history: A long read on how Turkey’s 1934 surname law has affected Kurdish identity.
From nation-building aspirations to the complexities faced by the Kurdish population, the story unfolds.
Lasting effects of controversial Turkish Surname Law on Kurdish identity
