Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayors Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun attended the Danielle Mitterrand Awards Ceremony held at the Académie du Climat in Paris, the capital of France.

This year’s award—granted to communities in the region sustaining struggles for local democracy, women’s freedom and ecological living—was presented, on behalf of the recipients, to former DBB Co-Mayor Gültan Kışanak and representatives of Tevgera Jinên Azad (TJA) and the Amed Ecology Association.

Co-Mayor Bucak: The struggle for democracy continues with determination

Speaking at the ceremony, Co-Mayor Serra Bucak highlighted the local democracy experience within Kurdish politics. She said the tradition of democratic struggle that began in the 1990s entered a new phase in local government in 1999, and noted that the Kurdish people’s protection of their municipalities has strengthened local democracy. Bucak underlined that Kurdish municipalism stands out for its women’s liberationist, participatory and community-oriented character, and that this approach differs from mainstream, system-led municipal governance in Türkiye.

Bucak added that, despite more than a century of denial and assimilation policies, the Kurdish people have continued their struggle for democracy, and that this struggle persists today with the same determination.

Co-Mayor Hatun: Work for our language continues at the Institute

Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun drew attention to the struggle for language and culture, recalling that during periods when Kurdish was banned in Türkiye, the French state permitted the establishment of the Kurdish Institute of Paris, thereby supporting the Kurdish language. She said: “For years, significant work has been carried out at this Institute for our language. Many of our intellectuals have worked— and continue to work—outside the country for our culture and art. From here, I remember Yılmaz Güney and Ahmet Kaya with respect. We want to see our intellectuals and artists in our country.”

Hatun also stated that the trustee (kayyım) policy has disrupted cultural services and language-related work.