Syrian Kurdish artists condemn alleged racially-motivated killing of Kurdish youth in Turkey

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, artists in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, condemned the killing of a Kurdish youth in the Turkish capital Ankara by Turkish youths. Barish Chakan was allegedly stabbed with knives for listening to a Kurdish-language song.

On Tuesday, artists condemned the incident in a statement, calling it “shocking and based on the mentality of a state that professed the annihilation of cultures and peoples.” The statement was read at the Muhammad Sheikho Center for Culture and Art in Qamishli.

Artists appealed to international and human rights organizations to take action against Turkish acts that target Kurdish culture and identity.

Ahmed Gatli, co-chair of the Mesopotamia Movement for Culture and Art, said that the mentality of the Chakan’s killers represents the mentality of the “fascist Turkish state,” and that young people receive such ideas in Turkish schools.

Photographer Abed al-Qader Sosek said that Turkey's denial of cultures of people who coexist there will continue to bring woes to Turkey. He condemned such incidents, both inside and outside of Turkey, stating that “though we live in the developed era of the 21st century, it is strange that we witness such incidents."

The killing of 20-year-old Barish Chakan, who is from the Kurdish-majority city of Agri in eastern Turkey, sparked Kurdish anger and condemnation in Turkey and the world. Chakan's cousin told media that his cousin’s killing was motivated by racism.