Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2014

Analysing Newroz in Diyarbakir: A Multi-Angle Approach

Rahman Dag

April 2013

Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis

Abstract

Once the Newroz on 21 March, 2013 in Diyarbakır would be the subject of any sort of conversation, academic discussion, journalistic research and daily bread on the lips of people, it would be absolutely considered as one of the most significant turning points in the history of politics in Turkey. Since, whether it will be successfully accomplished or dramatically failed and cause an internal high-level armed struggle, as a part of peace process initiated by AKP and assisted by BDP, the announcement of Öcalan calling for leaving the armed forces out of Turkey’s border and superseded it with ideas and politics will be the inception of new horizons in Turkish politics. The main crux of Öcalan’s most recent announcement should not be narrowly seen as part of the Kurdish question alone, but rather in my point of view, its consequences are expected to affect every tiny aspect of Turkey; ranging from the prime sphere of politics to social, cultural, and economic structures. When it comes to specific analysis of these aspects, the implication and strategy of peace process will be much clearer in minds.