HDP calls for the removal of pressures on Kurdish Language Day

Hawar magazine represented a major change in many fields, especially in language, culture, identity and literature, and marked the last century of Kurdish language and culture studies.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) celebrated 15 May, Kurdish Language Day and called for the pressure on the Kurdish language to be lifted.

In a written statement, the HDP Central Executive Board underlined that "celebrating the Kurdish Language Day means to raise awareness over the assimilation policies, to resist the annihilation attempts and to raise the struggle."

The statement added: "Hawar magazine, which was first published on 15 May 1932 in Damascus, the capital of Syria, and went on to print a total of 57 issues until 1943, is considered as a milestone in terms of Kurdish cultural writing. This cultural revolution initiative, led by Celadet Alî Bedirxan and his comrades 88 years ago, continues to inspire Kurdish language and culture studies today."

Hawar magazine represented a major change in many fields, especially in language, culture, identity and literature, and marked the last century of Kurdish language and culture studies. The magazine, which provides the training field for great Kurdish literature, has become a symbol of solidarity, resistance and collective production.

In 2006, 15 May was declared Kurdish Language Day, however the pressures on the Kurdish language and culture continue today. The policy of trustees is also meant to help the pressure on Kurdish and in fact Kurdish and multilingual works within the municipalities are prevented, TV channels broadcasting in Kurdish, newspapers, magazines, agencies, nurseries providing education in Kurdish, institutes and associations are closed. "Considering the Kurdish language and the Kurdish people as enemies continues today as it did almost a century ago with the same practices and crimes against the Kurdish people and humanity," said the statement.

The HDP said in its statement: "We reaffirm our call for the removal of pressures on the Kurdish language, as well as our demand for education in the mother tongue and again emphasize our request for amendment regarding article 42 of the Constitution. We reaffirm our call to the competent authorities to comply with international agreements, which open the way for education in mother tongue, which is the most basic human right."