İZMİR - Zekiye Alkan, who set her body on fire in 1990 Newroz against the Newroz bans and the oppression on Kurdish people, was commemorated at her grave.

 

Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Izmir Provincial Organisation, Free Woman Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) Izmir, Anatolian Association of Disappeared Persons (ANYAKAYDER), Izmir Peace Mothers' Initiative commemorated Zekiye Alkan, who set her body on fire on the walls of Amed (Diyarbakır) in 1990 against the Newroz bans and oppression policies on Kurdish people, at her grave. In the commemoration held in Izmir City Cemetery slogans "Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)" "Biji Serok Apo (Long live Leader Apo)" were chanted.

 

Peace Mother Medine Kaymaz said that the Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan dedicated his life to the Kurdish people and that she celebrated the Newroz of all the martyrs and Abdullah Öcalan. "The leader of the Kurdish people dedicated his life to freedom, he has been under persecution in İmralı Prison for 27 years. The Turkish state does not open the prison door against our demand for peace. 27 years of torture is not a normal prison. May the Newroz of all those who want peace, the Kurdish people and their leader be accepted on this important day," she said. 

 

DEM Party Izmir MP İbrahim Akın said, "Many comrades like Zekiye Alkan fought for peace and freedom. After these struggles, Newroz, peace and the possibilities for the Kurdish people to express themselves with their own identity became legitimised in the Middle East and the world. The government now wants to impose a heavy price not only on Kurds but also on all those who stand side by side with Kurds and want to struggle together. The struggle is meaningful in 2025 with Newroz, which is spread all over the world with the slogan of Abdullah Öcalan in terms of peace and democratic society."

 

After the speeches, candles were lit at the grave of Zekiye Alkan.