The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the Women Journalists' Platform of Mesopotamia and the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) have issued statements on the occasion of the Kurdish Press Day. The first Kurdish language newspaper "Kurdistan" appeared 122 years ago today, on April 22, 1898.  It was edited by Mikdad Midhat Bedirxan, who comes from the noble family of the Bedirxans.

Women Journalists' Platform: "Women's press carries on the legacy of the women's struggle"

The Women Journalists' Platform of Mesopotamia stressed the important role of women in Kurdish journalism and pointed to the achievement of an autonomous women's press. "The autonomous women's press carries on both the legacy of the women's struggle and the tradition of Kurdish journalism", the platform said.

DTK commemorates murdered and imprisoned journalists

The DTK also celebrated the 122nd anniversary of Kurdish journalism and commemorated the Kurdish journalists and the imprisoned press workers murdered by the different regimes since then. The DTK statement said: "We greet all the imprisoned journalists in all four parts of Kurdistan who, despite everything, do not deviate from their determined attitude. We say to you: You are not alone! We call for the immediate release of all the Kurdish and other journalists.”

HDP: History of Kurdish journalism is the history of Kurdish enlightenment

"The history of Kurdish journalism is a history of Kurdish enlightenment. It is a history of the flourishing of Kurdish cultural, intellectual and political life," the HDP said, drawing attention to the massive repression against the Kurdish press since the declaration of a state of emergency in Turkey in 2016. The party pointed out that the AKP regime was trying to intimidate the media by bans and imprisonment.

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