MAZLUMDER condemns removal of Kurdish traffic signs in southeastern Türkiye

The "Pêşî Peya/First Pedestrian" signs, which had been written in Kurdish on pedestrian crossings, were painted over by unidentified individuals, who replaced them with the slogan "Türkiye is Turkish and will remain Turkish."

Following this act of vandalism, the Kurdish writings were officially removed under the supervision of local police, following orders from the provincial governorates.

In a written statement, MAZLUMDER expressed deep concern over these actions, stating, "For some time now, there has been news in the media that the Kurdish traffic warnings written by some municipalities on the streets and roads have been erased with the order of the Ministry of Interior." The organization emphasized that Kurdish signs and warnings have been commonplace in cities with significant Kurdish populations for the past 15 years, reflecting the natural rights of millions of Kurdish-speaking citizens to receive services in their mother tongue.

MAZLUMDER argued that any state actions perceived as banning or restricting the use of Kurdish language in public services are a clear violation of human rights. The association also suggested that the state's recent interventions, seemingly prompted by provocative social media posts, appear to be driven by political rather than legal motives.

The incident has sparked a broader debate about linguistic rights and cultural recognition in Turkey, particularly in regions with substantial Kurdish populations. MAZLUMDER's statement calls for the respect of linguistic diversity and the protection of the rights of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic identity. (ILKHA)