Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party issues a strong statement condemning Turkey's ongoing political and military aggression. Amid calls for peace and democratic reforms, they highlight the recent death of Kurdish actor Bavê Teyar in a Turkish air strike on the Tishreen (Tişrîn) Dam and the arrest of five Kurdish journalists in raids. The party demands an end to these attacks and calls on democratic forces to resist in solidarity.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party expressed grave concern over Turkey’s escalating political and military operations, warning that they threaten the prospects for peace and democracy in the country. Noting the intense public interest generated by discussions, on-going since October, on a democratic solution to the Kurdish question, the party criticised the government’s continued aggression as undermining the nation’s collective aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future.
The DEM Party condemned increased political repression, including the appointment of trustees in Kurdish municipalities, intensified military operations in Kurdish-led North and East Syria and recent raids on cultural institutions. They described these actions as ‘political assassinations’ against the historic opportunity for peace.
The party mourned the recent loss of Bavê Teyar (Cuma Xelîl), a renowned Kurdish theatre actor and cultural icon, who died on 19 January from injuries sustained during a Turkish air strike against a peaceful sit-in at the Tishreen (Tişrîn) Dam. The attack, which left six people dead and more than 20 injured, targeted civilians campaigning for the protection of critical infrastructure in the face of ongoing aggression. Bavê Teyar had himself been a symbol of resilience, using his art to celebrate Kurdish culture and history through decades of cultural oppression.
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The statement also drew attention to recent police operations against Kurdish journalists. On 17 January, the authorities raided media production companies in Istanbul and detained five journalists in coordinated operations in Istanbul, Van (Wan) and Diyarbakır (Amed). Equipment was confiscated and restrictions were imposed on the detainees, including a 24-hour ban on legal representation. These actions, according to the DEM party, reflect a wider strategy to stifle Kurdish voices and undermine hopes for peace.
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The DEM party accused the government of hypocrisy in the peace talks and demanded an immediate end to the attacks, and recognition of Kurdish cultural and political achievements. They urged millions of citizens and the democratically-minded general public, united in their desire for peace, to exhibit a strong democratic resistance to these attacks by the state, whose aim is to remove the possibility of peace.
This statement builds on previous engagement by the DEM Party, and reflects widespread concern about the deteriorating democratic conditions and escalating violence in Turkey. Since discussions began in October on a possible reconciliation process to address the Kurdish question, the DEM Party has been actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy with various political actors to promote a peaceful and democratic solution. However, these efforts have been overshadowed by the government’s aforementioned actions of intensified military operations, crackdowns on Kurdish journalists and targeted repression of cultural institutions.