The Limitations of Kurdish Citizenship Claims in Turkey

The understanding of citizenship within the society and the limitations on exercising citizenship rights reflect on the evolution of the civil society (in a given society). In Turkey, the definition of citizenship is imposed from above. The state had aimed to create a unitary, organic vision of society. This vision did not fit into the multi-ethnic nature of the society. Kurdish people, who have experienced grievances, could not communicate their demands in the unhealthy political and public spheres. In reaction, the insurgency movement has emerged. The use of terrorist strategies limits the communication of views of diverse actors. The power the PKK and the state imposed on the Kurdish people limits their citizenship rights and the spaces of deliberation. The invited spaces would offer opportunities for Kurdish people to engage in deliberation. As a result, peaceful ways of claiming the citizenship rights can be sustained. In order for this to happen, state and the civil society organizations should collaborate.