The Turkish Workers' Party and its impact on the internal situation in Turkey 1961-1990

Abstract

The Kurds constitute the largest minority in Turkey. Despite their estimated population of 12 million, the Kurdish community has suffered from a lack of genuine representation. They were treated as a minority. After the end of World War I, the Allies promised the Kurds their rights and representation. However, after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk assumed leadership of the Turkish state and established modern Turkey, their hopes were dashed, and the Kurdish community continued to suffer. Following the introduction of multi-party politics, many Kurds joined Turkish political parties and represented their community in the Grand National Assembly. Despite this, they were unable to truly represent the Kurds due to the Turkish authorities' apprehension towards them. Kurdish youth felt oppressed and began demonstrating, holding secret gatherings, and writing in newspapers and magazines. They established an organization and representatives to demand their rights. This led to the founding of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which took it upon itself to demand Kurdish rights. The situation escalated to the point of resorting to force, adopting armed struggle as a means to achieve their rights. The situation deteriorated, leading to clashes with the Turkish army and resulting in casualties. The conflict continues, and the Kurds have not yet achieved their rights. The conflict between the two sides continued in the Kurdish regions