By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey – Kurdish-Turkish relations have grown tense since Monday’s court decision to prohibit Kurdish suspects the ability to respond to prosecutor’s questions in their native language during trial. The ruling comes after a plea by 150 Kurdish detainees currently standing trial for their alleged links to a guerilla terrorist organization within Turkey, to defend themselves in Kurdish.  The suspects asked the court to allow them to respond to questions in Kurdish as an expression of their identity.  The court refused their request fearing such an allowance would grant rights not afforded Kurds in Turkey.

This decision highlights the social and political tensions underlying the Kurdish-Turkish relationship in the country.  Since 1984, Kurdish guerilla groups have killed tens of thousands of Turkish citizens as they seek autonomy from Turkey.  The Turkish government has been relatively successful in suppressing the guerilla fighters, strengthening its resolve to punish rebel fighters and supporters, as well as, the government’s methods of subordinating and managing the Kurdish population.

Responding to criticism stemming from Monday’s court decision, the government claimed that it has been working with the Kurdish minority to grant them more cultural rights, such as the ability to broadcast Kurdish television programs.  The government however, has been hesitant to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Kurdish population over a wider range of social rights.  In particular, the government continues to reject demands by Kurds to include education in Kurdish in state schools.  The government has defended these moves by claiming that such an expansion of rights and liberties could divide the country along ethnic lines. 

Gultan Kisanak, deputy head of the Peace and Democracy Party noted the importance of this trial, stating“[t]his trial will tell us a lot about whether this country wants to improve its democracy and whether it has any intention to solve the Kurdish problem through peaceful means.”   A senior Kurdish rebel commander threatened to end the most recent cease-fire agreement with the government at the end of the month if the government does not take steps to bolster Kurdish rights.  The commander, Murat Karayilan, told a British newspaper that “[w]e will wait another 15 days.  If something positive develops, we will extend the unilateral case-fire.  If there are no concrete steps, we will evaluate developments and do what we have to do to defend ourselves.”

Although there have been a number of skirmishes between Kurdish and Turkish forces since the August cease-fire, there is a growing concern that a resumption of full armed conflict may be imminent.  Observers contend that the government is preparing an intensive campaign to eradicate Kurdish rebel forces throughout the country.  Mr. Karayilan acknowledges that such an initiative may be in the final planning stages but remains firm that “[i]f attacks are carried out, all the Kurdish people will be part of the defense strategy.”   15 days may now be the only thing that stands in the way of a brutal conflict in Turkey.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Turkish Court Rejects Kurdish Hearing Plea – 19 Oct. 2010

Canadian Press – Turkish Court Refuses to Allow Kurdish Suspects to Defend Themselves in Kurdish Language – 19 Oct. 2010

The Independent – Kurdish Rebels Tell Turkey: Keep Your Promises or Cease-fire is Over – 19 Oct. 2010

Reuters – Turk Court Rejects to Use Kurdish in Trial – 19 Oct. 2010