21.03.2026 19:41
The Newroz event organized by the DEM Party was held in Diyarbakır. Speaking at the event, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan stated, "A Turkey that solves the Kurdish issue will be a strong actor in the region."
An event for Nevruz was held under the leadership of the DEM Party in Diyarbakır. Security measures were taken by the Provincial Police Department teams at Nevruz Park, where the event was held in the central Bağlar district.
In this context, barriers were erected around the area by police teams for security purposes from the early hours of the morning. The Provincial Police Chief Nurettin Gökduman, who arrived at the area, met with the police officers on duty at the checkpoints, conducted inspections related to the works, and gathered information.
IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM TUNCER BAKIRHAN
A Nevruz fire was lit at the event where various artists performed. Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the DEM Party, who spoke at the event, thanked those who participated in the Nevruz celebrations.
Pointing to the developments in the Middle East, Bakırhan stated, "Every border is a wound, and almost every capital is a place of fire. In the midst of this fire, there are the Kurds and the Kurdish geography. In this picture, the Kurds are trying to ensure their own security while also contributing to the stability of the region. Regional capitals must see this reality." he said.
"A TURKEY THAT SOLVES THE KURDISH ISSUE WILL BE A STRONG ACTOR IN THE REGION"
Bakırhan emphasized the importance of the "Terror-Free Turkey" process and stated:
"A Turkey that solves the Kurdish issue will be a strong actor in the region. Ankara, which seizes this opportunity, can ensure peace in Turkey and stability in the region. There is no time to lose, and no other generation to waste. We have lost enough of our youth and generations. Let us not lose our future. Let us grow a democratic ground together to win our future. The wounds of the past should not bleed our future any more. We say let us build a democratic Turkey together around the values of equality and freedom for 86 million."
"NOW IT'S TIME FOR PEACE LAWS"
Referring to the call of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan for the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve itself, Bakırhan stated that the guns have fallen silent.
Bakırhan said, "Now it's time for peace laws, now it's time for the state and the government. It is time to move from words to law, from wishes to guarantees, from promises to actions. Those in prison must be free now. Figen, Selahattin, Leyla, Ayşe, and thousands of prisoners must be free. Those in the mountains should be able to participate in democratic politics. Those in exile should be able to return home and participate in democratic politics." he expressed.
"DEMOCRATIC UNITY MUST BE ESTABLISHED WITHOUT DELAY"
Stating that last year was a year when weapons were burned, Bakırhan continued: "Let 2026 be a year when freedom laws are discussed. My second call is to the opposition. The opposition should not be afraid of peace. Peace means democratic strengthening. If democracy strengthens, the opposition strengthens. Supporting peace is a debt of the opposition to 86 million. The cost of a half-century conflict has been heavily paid by every corner of Turkey.
Almost every inch of Turkey has been stained with blood, has suffered pain. No one should pay any more costs. Now is the time for embrace and reconciliation. I also have a call to the Kurdish people. The democratic unity among Kurds is no longer a choice but a historical necessity. Our politics may differ, but there should be no separation or division while the region is going through a flood. Democratic unity must be established without delay."
A LARGE NUMBER OF NAMES PARTICIPATED
Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Serra Bucak Küçük and Leyla Zana, who was stripped of her parliamentary seat on January 11, 2018, during a vote in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly for "absenteeism," also gave speeches in Kurdish at the event.
Participants included CHP Deputy Chairman and Diyarbakır MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Co-Chairs of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Keskin Bayındır and Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, Saadet Party Provincial Chairman Abdurrahman Ergin, some MPs from the DEM Party, and representatives of civil society organizations.