Three Kurdish teachers detained in Turkey amid advocacy for language preservation
The arrests are linked to their work in Kurdish language education.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Three Kurdish teachers and linguists, Sami Tan, Ronayi Onen, and Mevlut Aykoç, were detained on Wednesday following police raids on their homes in different cities. Authorities apprehended Sami Tan in Urfa, Ronayi Onen in Diyarbakir, and Mevlut Aykoç in Istanbul as part of an ongoing investigation.
The arrests are linked to their work in Kurdish language education. In 2010, the three linguists, along with M. Sadik Varli, co-authored and published "Hînker," a Kurdish language teaching book. They were questioned about this publication and detained on charges related to their association with certain organizations.
Sami Tan, currently residing in Urfa, serves as the President of the Urfa Kurdish Language and Culture Association, where he actively promotes Kurdish language and culture. Ronayi Onen continues her linguistic teachings in Diyarbakir, while Mevlut Aykoç contributes to both language advocacy and political engagement with the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Istanbul.
Despite these challenges, Tan and Onen have continued their educational mission, publishing three volumes of "Hînker" as part of their ongoing work to support Kurdish language learners.
The DEM Party has strongly condemned the detentions, issuing a statement on social media demanding the educators' immediate release. The party emphasized the significance of their contributions to Kurdish literacy, stating: "Our teachers Ronayi Onen, Sami Tan, and Mevlut Aykoç are zealous advocates of the Kurdish language. These dedicated educators have taught us all how to read and write our language through their noble efforts. Release our teachers immediately and do not extinguish the light of the Call for peace and a democratic society."
The detentions have sparked widespread concern among human rights and language advocacy groups, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Kurdish educators in their efforts to preserve and promote their linguistic heritage.
