DİYARBAKIR - Kadri Esen, licensee of Xwebûn Newspaper, newspaper issues of which were seized by the police, stated that this is a practice of the 90's and called on the public to protect the only newspaper that broadcasts in Kurdish.

 

The only newspaper published in Kurdish, Xwebûn, which was taken to Diyarbakır Intercity Bus Terminal Management (DİŞTİ) on September 17 to be sent to Mersin, was confiscated by the police. The police, who prevented the cargo process of the bus company without giving any reason, confiscated the newspapers. Condemning the situation, Xwebûn Newspaper Licensee Kadri Esen said that what happened is a practice of the 1990s.

 

Noting that Xwebûn Newspaper publishes weekly in Kurdish and is sent to all Kurdish cities, Esen stated that 100 newspapers, the 144th issue of the newspaper, were confiscated without any justification.

 

'KURDISH NEWSPAPER XWEBUN MUST READ FREELY'

 

Esen said: "The fact that our newspaper is in Kurdish cannot be a reason for its seizure. Xwebûn Newspaper should reach everyone and everywhere. Their aim is to prevent the Kurdish people's right to receive news stories, but Kurdish  Newspaper Xwebûn must be read freely.

 

THE PRACTICES OF THE 90'S CONTINUE

 

Noting that no information or warning was given about the confiscation, Esen said: "They filed a criminal complaint against those responsible for the situation. In the 90s, journalists were murdered and newspapers were confiscated. There were similar practices to prevent Turkish and Kurdish newspapers from being brought to Kurdistan. The same practices are being repeated despite the arrival of 2022. Their aim is to prevent the developments in Kurdish or the Kurdish people from being known. With these practices, it is aimed that what is happening in Kurdistan should be learned by the government and the Turkish media, but the facts shouldn't be known by the people."

 

'THE PRESSURE SHOULD BE CONDEMNED'

 

Calling for the protection of Xwebûn, the only newspaper broadcasting in Kurdish, Esen said: "New justifications can be made for the confiscated copies, the newspapers may be confiscated without giving any reason in the future, and then the reason for the confiscation can be made up. This is not only the problem of Kurdish journalists, but the whole Kurdish people. All Kurdish people should condemn these pressures and prevent such pressures against Kurdish newspapers from happening."

 

'KURDISH JOURNALISM WILL CONTINUE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!'

 

Pointing out that the newspaper was confiscated during the anniversary of the death of Kurdish scholar Musa Anter (Apê Musa), Esen said:"After 30 years, another Kurdish newspaper was confiscated just because it broadcasts in Kurdish and broadcasts in Kurdistan. The aim is to prevent Kurdish journalism in Kurdistan. But it should be well known that Kurdish journalism will continue under all circumstances."