Turkish government bill angers Kurdish people

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Turkish government’s decision to make geographical name changes to Kurdish towns and provinces in southeastern Turkey has angered the Kurdish civilians.

In early August, the Turkish government decided to move provincial capitals in the main Kurdish cities.

Moreover, a draft legislation had already been submitted to the parliament for endorsement.

The government’s draft legislation would move the administrative capital of Hakkari Province from the mountain town of Hakkari, near the Kurdistan Region and Iranian borders, to the larger town of Yuksekova. The name would also be changed to Colemerg.

Additionally, Sirnak Province would be moved from the mountain town of Sirnak to the plains city of Cizre near the Syrian border. Reuters reported that its name would be changed to Nuh.

Following the government’s decision, the people of both Kurdish provinces, Hakkari and Sirnak, protested against the proposal, calling for a withdrawal of the plan.

On Aug. 12, drivers in the city of Hakkari took to the streets against the Turkish government.

“If this government decision is implemented, the people of Hakkari will migrate to the neighboring country [the Kurdistan Region],” Abdi Arsalan, Head of the Drivers’ Syndicate, said.

Recently, due to clashes between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Turkey, thousands of people have been forcibly displaced or move to secured areas.

Violence between the PKK-armed wings and the Turkish army deepened in the Kurdistan of Turkey (Bakur) following the July 2015 governmental elections.

Turkey, the European Union, and the United States have labeled the PKK a terrorist organization.

The group had taken up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. Since then, over 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have lost their lives.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany