21.08.2025 23:09
In the TBMM Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, Nezahat Teke from the Peace Mothers wanted to speak in Kurdish. The Speaker of the Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, requested that it be done in Turkish. DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan reacted to the decision, stating, "The commission should have provided space for a mother who wants to speak in Kurdish."
During the meeting of the Brotherhood and Democracy Commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), a notable dialogue took place. Nezahat Teke from the Peace Mothers wanted to speak in Kurdish. However, the Assembly President Numan Kurtulmuş stated that even if we are not in the General Assembly, the proceedings should be conducted in accordance with the rules of the General Assembly, and he requested that the speech be made in Turkish.
"THE ISSUE ITSELF MANIFESTED THERE"
In a statement regarding the issue, DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan reacted to what happened in the commission. Stating that the commission should show maturity on this matter, Doğan said, "She wants to speak in Kurdish in the commission. The Assembly President Numan Kurtulmuş, although we are not in the General Assembly, warns as far as we see in the minutes to continue in Turkish. He reminds the rules of the TBMM. The DEM Party members present in the commission offer to voluntarily translate, but this is also rejected. Meral Danış Beştaş says she can translate and let it be recorded in Turkish in the minutes, and I read from the minutes. Other members of parliament from political parties that know Kurdish also say they are willing. We expected this commission to show maturity yesterday. They could have provided opportunities for Nezahat Teke, who wants to speak in her mother tongue, to do so. The issue itself manifested there yesterday. Not being able to speak in her mother tongue has now come to the agenda of the commission," she said.
"SOCIETY HAS SUCH AN EXPECTATION"
Continuing her words, Doğan stated, "This commission should feel a responsibility towards this," and added, "It is the commission's job to provide a translator for a mother who wants to speak in Kurdish or to create space for her to speak. Society has such an expectation."