The Language, Culture and Education Commission of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) made a statement on the racist attacks of the Turkish state against the values of the Kurdish people.

The KNK drew attention to the escalating attacks on Kurdish language and culture in recent days, while murders, massacres, looting and arrests continue.

Noting that Kurdish signboards are being removed, Kurdish warning signs on roads are being erased, and posters of Kurdish writer and philosopher Ehmedê Xanê are being attacked, KNK warned that: “If this continues and we remain silent, racist attacks will expand.”

“This is the beginning of a new wave of fascism and racism. The fascist Republic of Turkey wants to destroy the gains of our century-long struggle,” the KNK said, denouncing the attempts to erase the memory, present, national identity, culture, art, literature and history of the ancient Kurdish people who have lived in their own land for thousands of years.

“Every nation lives with its language, literature, culture and art. If these elements disappear, the nation will inevitably die out and disappear from history,” the KNK warned.

“In order to fight and weaken racism, it is essential that Kurdish institutions, intellectuals and politicians, as well as the Kurdish people as a whole, take a patriotic stance against the attacks of the racist state. Every home, camp and living space should be filled with culture, art, literature, folklore and folk dances to strengthen our national consciousness,” the KNK statement concluded.