SIRNAK - Silêmanê Sofî, the dengbêj (Kurdish traditional singer) father of imprisoned Kurdish artist Nudem Durak, pointed out that his daughter is at risk of losing her voice and said, “I haven't seen Nudem for 7 years. Everyone heard her voice, but Turkey."

 

Kurdish artist Nudem Durak was sentenced to 19 years in prison in two separate cases in 2015 for singing in Kurdish. Durak, who has been held in Bayburt Type M Women's Closed Prison for the last 6 years, suffers from Graves disease and osteoporosis in the prison. Many artists, including Roger Waters, a member of the British rock band Pink Floyd, demanded Durak's freedom and organised campaigns.

 

Dengbêj father Silêmanê Sofî (Süleyman Durak), who taught Nudem to sing and took Nudem with him to every event he went to, has not seen his daughter for 7 years due to his illnesses and distance.

 

Silêmanê Sofi, who lives in the Dergûl District of Şırnak, stated that his longing for her daughter is increasing day by day and demanded that her daughter be released or transferred to a nearby prison.

 

LONGING FOR HIS DAUGTHER FOR 7 YEARS

 

Silêmanê Sofi stated that her daughter was arrested for nothing and said, "Nudem is sick. It has been 7 years. Nudem did not commit a crime. Her only crime was singing in her mothertongue. There are hundreds of people in prisons like her. For me, there is no difference between Nudem and them. If only the sick prisoners, whose condition is worse than Nudem, had been released, I would be happy even though Nudem isn't released. Nudem can not sing anymore because of her health issues. But they still don't let her go."

 

'EVERYONE BUT TURKEY HEARD HER VOICE'

 

Stating that Nudem's voice was never heard, Sofi said, "Many people have heard Nudem's voice until now and have made an effort for her relase. But unfortunately they do not let her go. Every artist with a conscience should protect and support Nudem. Even Europe heard her voice, but Turkey did not. She was punished this harshly for singing a Kurdish song. Nudem did not deserve such punishment.”

 

Reminding that he is also a denbêj, Sofî said, “Nudem is in prison, I am outside. By participating in all Dengbêj programs, I keep the denbêj culture alive.”

 

'I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE'S DOING'

 

Stating that he hasn't seen his daughter for the last 7 years, Sofi said, "The prison is far away and I can't go see her because I'm sick. So I don't know how she is right now, I miss her so much.  If they had brought her to a closer prison, I couyld have seen her."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut