Newroz Tragedy 2008

The most important festival in Kurdish tradition is Newroz. Newroz means 'New Sun' and 'New Day' and is celebrated during the spring equinox on March 21st. There are many explanations for the origins of Newroz with records of the spring festival found as early as 3000BC. The festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, the celebration of new life and freedom from oppression.

The Kurds in Wan, Hakkari and Siirt were not allowed to celebrate their Newroz at the weekend.

Kurds in those cities started to celebrate Newroz and they were harshly attacked by the Turkish security forces.

During the celebrations in Wan and Yüksekova, two of the Kurdish activists were shot dead by the Turkish police forces.