Kurdish musician Nudem Durak (35), arrested in Şırnak (Şirnex) in 2015, was sentenced to a total of 19 years in prison in two separate cases due to the Kurdish political songs she sang. Durak, who was detained in Amed and Mardin (Mêrdîn) prisons after her arrest, was transferred to Bayburt women's prison.

For 8 years, Durak has suffered from Graves' disease and osteoporosis. Many artists in Kurdistan and abroad, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, have organized campaigns for the release of Durak, whose illness is worsening.

The singer’s mother, Hatice Durak, who can only see her daughter once a year due to the long distance, appealed once again for the release of her daughter.

Call for solidarity

Calling on artists for solidarity, Hatice Durak said: "I call on all artists around the world to support Nudem. She sang songs like you. But she was sentenced to 19 years in prison for singing in her native language. If it wasn't because of her illness, we could have tolerated it, but with her serious illness, she cannot stay in prison for so many years. Artists should also take initiatives for the release of Nudem. [Those] who kill people are not in prison. But a singer is. No artist should accept this sentence."