Kurdish wasn't recognized at the court

18:32 28.04.2010

DIYARBAKIR (DIHA) – Kurdish defense lasted 30 minutes on the court was defined as using right to remain silent by judge. Ibrahim Guclu, former spoke person of the National Unity Movement of Kurds (TEVKURD), defended himself in Kurdish at the Court. The judge unrecognized Kurdish defense and reported that Guclu used the right of remain silent. What the ironic ones was that in this case is that Guclu was being tried because of speaking in Kurdish during a press release to protest cross-border operation of Turkish Army Forces (TSK). 

The Democratic Opening of the AKP administration is still controversial in Turkey’s land. Speaking in Kurdish is still forbidden. Even worse, speaking in Kurdish is not being recognized as language at the courts. Head of TEVKURD Ibrahim Guclu had addressed in Kurdish during the press release to protest cross-border operation of TSK. Following the meeting Prosecution of the Republic opened a file against Guclu for encourage people to hatred and hostility by speaking in Kurdish. There was 7th hearing of the case in Diyarbakir 8th Criminal Court of First Instance. Guclu gave his defense speech in Kurdish and the judge of the court ignored his Kurdish speech and reported as follows: “the defendant used the right of remain silent”. 

Lawyer Sabahattin Korkmaz said everybody has right to speak in their language while referring the international laws about the rights of defending himself in mother tongue. 

Guclu is being tried for 3 years imprisonment for encouraging people to hatred and hostility by speaking in Kurdish.

(gü)