Intellectuals Urge the End of Violence

More than 170 journalists, academics, artists and activists declared their fear from the rising wave of violence and urged that the Newroz spring festivities on March 21 marks the end of this cycle

In consequence, the petitioners demanded all parties to stay calm during the festivities, which causes controversy each year since it's been politicized with the rise of the Kurdish insurgency movement during the last 20 years.

Newroz festivities are mainly a Kurdish tradition in Turkey.

"Extradition of arms and violence from politics, removal of the burden of arms over politics is a must for a democracy to function" they said.

The petitioners urged the government to act responsibly, without giving in to nationalist provocations and on the other hand they urged the parties and local administrators in the southeastern Turkey -where the Kurdish population is dense- to actively work to overcome the tension.

The petitioners also declared their criticism of the pressures on the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP).