The closure of the Avesta Kurdish language association in Izmir followed a complaint by the governor’s office. The association sees this as further evidence of state repression against the Kurdish language and culture.
The Avesta Language and Culture Research Association, which offers Kurdish language courses in the Konak district of İzmir, was raided by the police three days ago on the grounds that it lacked a license. Yesterday, the association was sealed by the municipal police.
The Mezopotamya agency reported that the process leading to the sealing of the association began with a complaint filed by the İzmir Governor's Office to the Provincial Directorate of National Education.
According to Ramazan Kaygısız, co-chair of the association, the Provincial Directorate of National Education, acting on the governor's letter, sent a letter to the Konak District Governor's Office requesting that the association be closed on the grounds that it was conducting educational activities without permission under the name of an association. The district governor's office forwarded this letter to the municipality, requesting that the association be closed.
Noting that the current situation is not independent of the pressure on the Kurdish language, Kaygısız said, They are trying to prevent even the slightest effort to develop the Kurdish language. Courses have been offered. There was no problem then, so why now, especially when a peace process is underway? We are surprised by this. How can they take such a cruel stance toward the Kurdish language? The mother tongue is everyone's right. How can they prevent this?”
Kaygısız said that his lawyers would take the necessary legal action and that they wanted to reopen the association and continue their work.[1]