In Turkey, dozens of people have been detained, abused and arrested in recent weeks for singing and dancing the Govend to Kurdish songs accused of "propaganda for a terrorist organization." On the instructions of the Ministry of the Interior, Kurdish-language traffic signs are being removed in communities governed by the DEM party.

Kurds protested and danced against the suppression of the Kurdish language and culture in Duisburg on Friday evening.

At the rally, Kurds said that the Kurdish language, Kurdish songs, dancers, weddings and musicians are being attacked in Turkey. "We have gathered here today to draw attention to this," said a Kurdish woman. The Kurdish people have a rich culture based on a long past. The Turkish state is trying to destroy this valuable heritage and cultural wealth.

"Every people has the right to live their own culture and pass it on to the next generations. This also applies to the Kurdish people. Kurdish music is not just for entertainment. It is an expression of history, pain, joy and hope. Banning this music means suppressing the voice of a people and denying their existence," said the activists.