Leyla Zana Begins Parliamentary Oath in Kurdish

The Assembly has opened with oath-taking ceremony of member of parliaments in the 26th Legislative Session.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP from Ağrı, Leyla Zana has started oath-taking ceremony with Kurdish words. Zana saying "Bi Hevîya Aşîtî Kî Bi Rûmet Û Mayînde..." (In the Hope of an Honored and Perpetual Peace) finalized the oath afterwards in Turkish.

Zana used the expression “Nation of Turkey” instead of “Turkish nation” in the sentence “I vow on my pride and honor before grand Turkish nation” included in the oath.

President of the Assembly, Deniz Baykal objected saying the oath text wasn’t read letter-perfect. “In case the text is not duly and exactly read, the oath won’t be counted as completed”, said Baykal.

“According to our bylaws, hearers must sit in silence, and that they can’t express their ideas by words, clapping or in any other way”, warned Baykal the ones in the council chamber.

Zana's oath in 1991

Leyla Zana had drawn harsh reactions in the Assembly in 1991 for saying in Kurdish, “I take this oath on behalf of fraternity of both Turkish and Kurdish peoples” after taking her oath in Turkish. 

Zana returned to the Assembly 20 years later, in 2011, as Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy from Diyarbakır. (ÇT/TK)

Click here to read the article in Turkish