Newroz Pîroz Be! Newroz Kutlu Olsun! Happy Newroz!

20 March 2022

21 March, the day of the Newroz, is not only the harbinger of spring as it means “new day” but also involves rebirth.

We, as the Human Rights Association, celebrate Newroz. Newroz Pîroz Be!

Newroz has been celebrated since the year when ironsmith Kawa won his fight against the ruthless tyrant Dehak. Newroz has been celebrated in many countries as a tradition for centuries. Individuals have long fought to celebrate Newroz in Turkey and it is now celebrated commonly by the masses as a serious achievement of oppressed peoples, most notably the Kurdish people.

But Newroz has not been able to be celebrated since 2015 in its deserved and missed atmosphere of festivity. The reason for this is the state of protracted armed conflict and regional war going on since 24 July 2015. This state of armed conflict and war make the Kurdish issue remain unresolved and force everyone to live under an oppressive regime as the country has gradually become authoritarian.

On the occasion of the 2022 Newroz, we would like to remind everyone that the struggle for human rights and democracy persevere against all oppressive methods because each Newroz symbolizes rebirth. Therefore, oppressed peoples are reborn each year no matter how gross oppression is. This is the true meaning and magic of Newroz. Indeed, Newroz celebrations held within the last two days are peopled by masses in spite of the cold weather, virtually prove the rebirth and send very strong messages for peace. We believe that the political power should reciprocate these messages.

We, as human rights defenders, wish that this year’s Newroz bring peace against the protracted conflict and war, becomes the starting point of the path to a novel peace process, and 2022 proves to be a year of freedoms.

Human Rights Association