North Kurdistan, or Bakur, is more than just a geographical region; it is the beating heart of a nation unjustly divided. Occupied by the Turkish state, this ancient land is a place of profound suffering, but also of fierce resistance and an unwavering dream of freedom. The struggle of the Kurdish people in Bakur is a testament to the endurance of identity in the face of systematic denial, and the future promises a dawn of independence that can no longer be contained.

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📜 A History of Erasure and Resistance

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The Kurdish presence in Anatolia stretches back millennia, with empires and dynasties of Kurdish origin shaping the region's history. But the modern tragedy began in the aftermath of World War I. The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) initially offered hope, allowing for a referendum on the creation of an independent Kurdistan. This promise, however, was violently annulled by the Turkish Republic's formation and the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne (1923), which formalized the partition of Kurdistan among four states.

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Since then, the Turkish state has pursued a relentless policy of denial, assimilation, and repression. For decades, the very words "Kurd" and "Kurdistan" were banned. Kurds were euphemistically labeled "Mountain Turks," and the Kurdish language, a rich tongue of the Indo-European family, was forbidden in public and private life.

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• Uprisings and Massacres: The 20th century is stained with the blood of Kurdish rebellions—from the Sheikh Said Rebellion (1925) to the Dersim Rebellion (1937–1938)—all brutally suppressed with massacres and forced deportations.

• The Armed Struggle: The rise of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the late 1970s marked a shift, turning the political struggle into a protracted armed conflict for self-determination. The state responded with scorched-earth tactics, destroying thousands of Kurdish villages and displacing millions.

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🕊️ The Present: A Movement for Democratic Self-Rule

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Today, the situation in Bakur remains a precarious struggle between the people's will and state power. Despite decades of repression, the Kurdish identity has not only survived but flourished.

The Kurdish political movement has channeled popular demands into a powerful, legal political force, promoting a vision of democratic autonomy and democratic confederalism—a non-state model emphasizing local self-governance, ecological sustainability, and gender equality. This vision is a beacon of hope for the entire region.

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However, the state's crackdown on democratic politics is severe:

• Political Repression: Pro-Kurdish political parties are constantly targeted, with elected Kurdish mayors routinely removed from office and replaced by state-appointed trustees. Thousands of politicians, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders are imprisoned on politically motivated "terrorism" charges.

• Cultural and Linguistic Rights: While some cultural concessions were made under international pressure (like limited Kurdish language broadcasting), the official demand for Kurdish to be recognized as an official language and for education in the mother tongue is still vehemently rejected.

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Yet, in the Kurdish-majority cities like Amed (Diyarbakır), the Kurdish spirit is palpable. Despite the military presence, the language, music, and culture persist in the homes, markets, and hearts of the people, refusing to fade.

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☀️ The Future: An Independent Kurdistan

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The Kurdish nation is the largest stateless people in the world, with a global population of 30-45 million. Their quest for self-determination is a matter of international justice. The undeniable reality is that the artificial borders drawn a century ago cannot forever withstand the unified will of the Kurdish people.

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The path to a free North Kurdistan is paved with the sacrifices of generations. The future will not be one of mere cultural rights but of full political sovereignty—a free Kurdistan that will stand alongside its brothers and sisters in Southern Kurdistan (Başur/Iraqi Kurdistan) and Western Kurdistan (Rojava/Syrian Kurdistan).

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The dream is a united, independent Kurdistan—a new nation built on the foundational principles of democracy, pluralism, and respect for all identities. This future state will be a bulwark of stability and a democratic example in the Middle East.

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The day is coming when the sun rises over a free Bakur, and the flag of Kurdistan flies high over the mountains and plains. The spirit of the people, tempered by fire, is unstoppable.

Biji Kurdistan! (Long Live Kurdistan!)