This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18410596#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Kurdish can be taught in Turkey's schools, Erdogan says | Kurdish can be taught in Turkey's schools, Erdogan says |
(1 day later) | |
For the first time schools in Turkey will be allowed to teach the Kurdish language as an elective subject, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says. | For the first time schools in Turkey will be allowed to teach the Kurdish language as an elective subject, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says. |
Mr Erdogan told parliament the measure was "a historic step". | Mr Erdogan told parliament the measure was "a historic step". |
Turkey has been fighting Kurdish rebels in the country's southeast for decades. Many Kurds have been campaigning for autonomy and better cultural rights. | Turkey has been fighting Kurdish rebels in the country's southeast for decades. Many Kurds have been campaigning for autonomy and better cultural rights. |
Lessons in the Kurdish language will be granted in schools if enough students asked for them, Mr Erdogan said. | Lessons in the Kurdish language will be granted in schools if enough students asked for them, Mr Erdogan said. |
Tens of thousands of people have been killed in nearly 30 years of fighting between Turkey's government and the banned Kurdish separatist group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). | |
Tuesday's announcement is the latest in recent reforms introduced by Turkey to ease tensions with the Kurdish minority, who account for about 20% of Turkey's population. | Tuesday's announcement is the latest in recent reforms introduced by Turkey to ease tensions with the Kurdish minority, who account for about 20% of Turkey's population. |
'Oppression' | 'Oppression' |
While the move is a significant concession to Kurds, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says Mr Erdogan will have to do more to win the trust of Kurdish politicians. | While the move is a significant concession to Kurds, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says Mr Erdogan will have to do more to win the trust of Kurdish politicians. |
Gultan Kisanak of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy party said permitting lessons on only an elective basis "amounts to oppression". | Gultan Kisanak of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy party said permitting lessons on only an elective basis "amounts to oppression". |
University-level language courses in Kurdish and other minority languages were introduced in 2009, a move widely welcomed by rights groups. | University-level language courses in Kurdish and other minority languages were introduced in 2009, a move widely welcomed by rights groups. |
The EU has still urged the Turkish government to improve anti-discrimination laws for all minorities in the country and do more to tackle racism. | The EU has still urged the Turkish government to improve anti-discrimination laws for all minorities in the country and do more to tackle racism. |
Kurdish rights remain a sensitive issue in Turkey, where political organisation along ethnic lines is banned by the constitution. | Kurdish rights remain a sensitive issue in Turkey, where political organisation along ethnic lines is banned by the constitution. |
Use of the Kurdish language by Kurdish politicians has in the past provoked uproar from Turkish officials. | Use of the Kurdish language by Kurdish politicians has in the past provoked uproar from Turkish officials. |
High-profile Kurdish activist and member of parliament Leyla Zana caused an outcry in 1991 when she took the parliamentary oath in her mother tongue. | High-profile Kurdish activist and member of parliament Leyla Zana caused an outcry in 1991 when she took the parliamentary oath in her mother tongue. |
Last month Mrs Zana was sentenced to 10 years in prison for spreading propaganda on behalf of the PKK. | Last month Mrs Zana was sentenced to 10 years in prison for spreading propaganda on behalf of the PKK. |
Previous version
1
Next version