The Co-Presidency of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council released a statement on the occasion of the passing away of journalist Celal Başlangıç.

"It is with great sadness that we have learned that Celal Başlangıç, an esteemed journalist, writer and a person known for his struggle, has passed away. First of all, we extend our condolences to his family, relatives, friends and the press community,” said the KCK’s condolence message, which further stated the following:

There is no doubt that the loss of such a person of struggle and friend is very heavy. Celal Başlangıç, with his stance and struggle, was a valuable person who demonstrated what it means to struggle for what is right and to have a correct approach. In the most difficult times, he stood for the struggle of the Kurdish people, which everyone ran away from and ignored, and he wrote about and showed the suffering, hardships and massacres the Kurdish people were subjected to, risking all kinds of danger. He exposed many crimes committed by the state in Kurdistan and made the truth known to the public. Thereby he has made a great contribution to exposing the reality of the Turkish state. He has been a true friend of the Kurdish people and a true seeker of truth. He was subjected to pressure, repression and punishments by the state for speaking the truth and standing by the rightful struggle of the Kurdish people, but still, he did not succumb to all pressures and threats and did not give up standing by the truth and revealing and speaking the truth. He had a persistent and determined stance and struggle.

Celal Başlangıç, a dear friend of our people and a man of struggle, also made valuable contributions and efforts to the Kurdish press. He was in solidarity with the free press until the moment he passed away. As is known, he was subjected to repression and penalties due to his solidarity with the free press and had to go into exile. He continued his stance, attitude and struggle even in exile. The Kurdish press owes him a lot.

We bow with respect to his friendship with the Kurdish people, his courageous expression of the truth, his belief in the struggle for democracy and his efforts for all these values. Once again, we express our condolences to his family, relatives, friends and the community of the democratic free press.”