Crackdown on Kurdish Culture: Wedding Raids and Mass Arrests in Turkey

Doğubayazıt, Ağrı Province — In a series of events that have garnered widespread attention and condemnation, Turkish authorities have intensified their crackdown on Kurdish cultural expressions, leading to several detentions and arrests on charges of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”

The Wedding Raid

On a recent evening, a wedding celebration in Doğubayazıt district was interrupted by a police raid. Authorities detained several individuals, including Ali Boran, the owner of the wedding hall, musician Şenol Aktar and his brother Onur Aktar, and camera operator Abdullah Kebude. They were taken to the anti-terror department for questioning and released the following morning after providing their statements.

House Raids and Detentions

In addition to the wedding raid, police conducted early morning raids on several homes in the district. Six individuals were detained, identified only by their initials G. R., S. İ. Y., O. S., and M. S. from Istanbul. These detentions were linked to another wedding held two weeks prior, where attendees wore traditional Kurdish attire and danced to Kurdish songs, acts which the authorities deemed as “terror propaganda.”

Wider Crackdown in Istanbul

On July 27, Turkish police conducted house raids in various Istanbul boroughs, including Bağcılar, Esenyurt, Sultangazi, and Gaziosmanpaşa. A total of 18 people were detained for dancing the halay to Kurdish music at weddings. Of these, 11 were later arrested on charges of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization,” while the remaining seven were released under judicial control measures.

Protests and Condemnation

The arrests sparked protests and condemnation from Kurdish activists and political groups. In Urfa, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) organized a protest against the recent detentions. DEM Party Legal Commission co-spokesperson Sevda Çelik Özbingöl and DEM Party Riha Provincial co-chairs Bekir Karakeçili and Sema Aişeoğlu spoke out against the actions, labeling them as “open hate and racism crimes against Kurds.”

Similar protests were held in other provinces, including Pirsûs (Suruç), Xelfêti (Halfeti), Curnê Reş (Hilvan), Serêkaniyê (Ceylanpınar), Wêranşar (Viranşehir), Hewag (Bozova), and Bêrecûk (Birecik). DEM Party members and the public gathered in front of party buildings and danced the halay in solidarity.

International Reactions

The crackdown has drawn criticism from various human rights organizations and prominent figures. Veteran Kurdish politician Leyla Zana posted on social media, warning the authorities not to “push the Kurds to their limits.” She emphasized that the Kurdish community would stand united in their cultural expressions and resistance.

Additionally, 14 provincial bar associations criticized the detentions, urging the judiciary to protect fundamental rights and freedoms and not participate in what they termed as “social media lynching.”

Conclusion

The recent crackdown on Kurdish celebrations in Turkey highlights the ongoing tensions between Kurdish communities and the Turkish state. The actions taken by the authorities have not only disrupted cultural events but have also drawn significant backlash from activists and human rights organizations. As the situation continues to develop, it remains a poignant reminder of the struggle for cultural expression and political rights in the region.