Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) is preparing a campaign for Kurdish to be the language of education. ÖHD will make an official request to the Parliament and the Ministry of Education (MEB) within the scope of the campaign. The application petition to be prepared within the scope of the campaign will be opened for signature by legal organizations and an application will be made to the Parliament and the Ministry of Education together with the signatures collected.

 

'THERE IS NO IDENTITY WITHOUT NATIVE LANGUAGE'

 

ÖHD member lawyer Baran Elma emphasized that mother language is a matter of existence. Elma said: "When we think like this, we undoubtedly realize that the mother language is a part of human existence. Identities are formed within the framework of the mother language and there is no identity without the mother language. In this respect, we attach great importance to the mother language and we practice our work within this framework. We are trying to highlight the awareness of the mother language more." 

 

IT WILL BE DEMANDED FROM THE PARLIAMENT AND MINISTRY

 

Stating that they defend the right of Kurds to education in their mother language, Elma reminded that Kurdish is not recognized in the official system in Turkey. Elma said: "Even in the Parliament, when some deputies speak Kurdish, it is recorded as 'Unknown Language'. We said, why should this situation of Kurdish continue? We then decided to send a petition to the Ministry of Education and the Parliament. We started a campaign like this. We also contacted other legal organizations. We will collect signatures from legal organizations for the petition we have prepared comprehensively. When the signing process is completed, we will submit our petition to the official authorities." 

 

'EDUCATION IN MOTHER LANGUAGE IS A HUMAN RIGHT'

 

Stating that they want the language Kurdish children speak at home to be the same as the language they will use at school, Elma said: "This will not actually create a problem in the language of Kurdish children between school and home. Additionally, children will be freed from this system that implements assimilation policies. Education in the mother language is a human right and must be recognized by everyone."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu