“Derogatory statements and insults against the Kurdistan flag are crimes. According to Article 341 of the Turkish constitution, this is a crime,” Sinan Ozaraz, head of the Bar Association in Turkey’s eastern province of Van, told Rudaw in an interview.
“Statements that belittle and insult flags and symbols constitute a crime, and those who commit this crime can be punished,” he added.
Article 341 of the Turkish constitution outlines penalties for those who insult the flag of a foreign state.
“A person who publicly insults the officially displayed flag or other symbols of sovereignty of a foreign state shall be sentenced to imprisonment from three months to one year. Investigation and prosecution of this offense depend on a complaint by the relevant state,” the article states.
The controversy began when Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a member of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), expressed his anger on Saturday about the government allowing Kurds to celebrate their New Year (Newroz) in Diyarbakir (Amed) with the Kurdistan Region flag - a yellow sun on a red, white, and green background. At the same time, he criticized the government’s response to CHP protests that erupted after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was sacked over corruption charges.
Politicians from an ultranationalist party joined in, making statements calling the Kurdish flag a “rag.”
Ozaraz said that, based on the regulation, only “the state owning the flag” can file a lawsuit, not individual citizens.
“We believe that the Kurdistan Regional Government can also legally file complaints against these people in Turkey. My appeal on this matter was to the Kurdistan Regional Government,” he said.
He added that he hopes these complaints and statements will promote awareness and help establish a culture of accountability in Turkey.
Kurdish politicians and social media users strongly criticized Yavas for his remarks. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said that only he represents the official stance of the party, indirectly implying that Yavas' comments do not align with the party's position.
Yavas later claimed that some people were attempting to "distort and politicize" his speech about the Kurdistan flag, clarifying that his intent was to criticize the government's "double standards" in handling the protests and the Newroz celebrations.
Thousands of people gathered in Diyarbakir on March 21 to celebrate Newroz, and the display of the Kurdistan flag was reportedly at its highest in years. The flag was also seen in Turkish-majority cities like Istanbul during Newroz celebrations. The peaceful nature of this year’s Newroz celebrations is believed to be linked to ongoing talks between the state and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has indicated a willingness to lay down arms in exchange for greater political and cultural recognition of Kurds.
The Turkish government often associates displays of Kurdish symbols, especially the Kurdistan flag, with a show of support for the PKK, arresting those waving it on terror charges.
