Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar issued a condolence message on the passing of Desmond Tutu, a symbol of the struggle against apartheid South Africa, who died aged 90. Tutu was a friend of the Kurdish people.

The condolence message published on Monday includes the following:

“We have learned with great sorrow of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of South Arica, who had become a symbol of the world struggle for freedom, justice and peace, as well as a winner of the Nobel peace prize. 

Tutu, who, together with Nelson Mandela, played such an important role in abolishing the apartheid regime in South Africa, and who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, continued his uninterrupted advocacy of all oppressed peoples and social segments until the end of his life.

He responded to the Kurdish struggle for freedom and peace with all kinds of support, which he offered with his graceful humility. We will keep Desmond Tutu alive in our memory and our struggle as a historical figure and a valuable friend, who stood by the marginalized against the cruel not only with his words but also with his actions. 

As we reaffirm our commitment to Desmond Tutu's ideals of freedom, justice and peace, we extend our condolences to all his friends and to the peoples of South Africa."

A friend of the Kurdish people

The 1999 Nobel Peace Prize-winning archbishop Tutu was also known for his support for the Kurdistan freedom struggle.

Tutu announced the establishment of the International Peace Initiative in November 2012 to restart dialogue for a solution to the Kurdish problem. Among the first signatories were Tibet's Spiritual Leader, the Dalai Lama, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, and former US President Jimmy Carter.

Tutu, who sided with the Kurds when the invasion attacks against Kobanê occurred in 2014, also attended the Kurdish conferences held in the European Parliament. Desmond Tutu, who is also among the pioneers of these conferences, led the International Tribunal in 2018, where the Turkish state was tried. While Tutu was one of the important actors of the "Time has come" campaign for the freedom of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan, he was one of the 50 Nobel Prize winners who called for the end of the isolation in 2019.

The following statements were included in this call: "We, the Nobel Prize winners in various fields, call on the Turkish government in particular and the international community in general to take urgent steps to end the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and all political prisoners in Turkey at this critical stage."

He last signed the letter written to Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan on behalf of the Kurdistan Peace Campaign in April 2021.