In response to a Kurdish question about the policies of the two newly founded parties led by former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and former Economy Minister Ali Babacan towards the Kurds in Turkey, Sedek Zilan, a Turkey Kurdish lawyer and politician, stated that both Babacan and Davutoglu were the former leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Both now make positive statements about teaching the Kurdish language in Turkey. The goal of part of the Kurdish community is to make the parties in Ankara to understand the demands of the Kurds in Turkey. Kurdistan is a very important issue and I do not think that Turkey can solve it alone.

He continued: "Kurds seek their legitimate and free political rights in Turkey and do not just entertain themselves with everyday issues. The issue of rights and teaching the mother tongue is a basic demand of the Kurds. It is necessary to teach Kurdish language courses in schools formally. Politicians talk about language is a good thing, but it is important where Kurdish language education officially begins in Turkey.

He added: "Serious steps are needed for this issue and only some verbal statements are not enough. It does not matter how the media take advantage of this issue because the media does not tell the whole truth. It is important for the politicians to be serious in their decision, but I can not say that these statements are false or made to deceive public opinion.

The independent Kurdish lawyer and politician in Turkey added: Parties such as the newly established parties of Ahmet Davutoglu and Ali Babacan, the Saadat Party, the Hakpar Party and the pro-Kurdish People Democratic Party (HDP) have made positive discussions about teaching the Kurdish language, but these remarks need a practical step. In a meeting with the Republican People Party (CHP), I stressed on the importance of teaching in the Kurdish language and said that the CHP needs to make changes. The party officials confirmed the demand and said that they were preparing a report on this. They want to propose that the fourth grade should be taught in their mother tongue at schools.

He continued: "This report has not been published yet to find out about it, and we are waiting for practical actions from them."

He noted that the AK Party had previously taken positive steps in this regard, reopening the Kurdish Studies Center and the TRT Kurdish Television Channel and teaching Kurdish courses in schools, but now their situation is not good and they turned hostile to the Kurdish issue.

Referring to the government's use of the name of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to counter other Kurdish political movements, the Kurdish lawyer said: "The PKK is an excuse to hurt the Kurdish issue. The AK Party remembers the Kurds whenever elections are near and says that ‘we and the Kurds are brothers’. Now the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are opposing the Kurds. The assimilation by the government is still on going on and it will not stop soon.”

"Turkey must either accept the existence of the Kurds in a federal political structure in Turkey, or recognize the rights of the Kurds in Turkey according to the constitution, and teach the Kurdish language in schools and also provide the political conditions for the Kurds,” Sedek Zilan further said.

He stressed: "It is necessary for the government to take measures to stop assimilation. If assimilation continues, it will no longer be acceptable for the people."

The Turkey Kurdish lawyer and politician noted that during the reconciliation process and before 2015, Erdogan took action in this regard, but after the 2015 elections, a new Erdogan and the AK Party were born, not only in Turkey but also pursued a policy of enmity with the Kurds by attacking Syrian Kurdistan, occupying Afrin, Seri Kani and Gri Spi in Syria and attacking the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

"After the events in Afrin and Kirkuk and other issues, governments should be a little fair and respect the rights of the Kurds," he added.

Reporter’s code: 50101