Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, we examine violence against the dead in Turkey and Kurdistan. My guest is Şilan Bingöl, from The Amargi's Turkey desk. For over a century, groups excluded and targeted in life, such as Kurds, Armenians, Alevis, women, LGBTQ+ people, and migrants, also face violence after death: unmarked graves, attacks on cemeteries and mourning houses, and dehumanizing language in media coverage. We start with how Şilan comes to work on this topic, then look at how this violence manifests in Turkey historically and today. We discuss what has happened to (PKK) guerrilla graves and cemeteries since the 1990s, including the removal of bodies from Garzan Cemetery in 2017. Finally, we turn to who else is affected beyond guerrillas, and the ongoing search for the disappeared, including the weekly vigils at Galatasaray Square. You can read some of Şilan's work on this topic and other interesting areas here. Host: Sushobhan Parida Guest: Şilan Bingöl Audio Edit: Marta Lučić Graphic Design: An Amargi Production, 2026 About The Amargi: The Amargi is a grassroots-funded online media outlet established by a group of journalists, activists, and academics based in Europe. We are independent from any commercial and political influence, and our donors support us because their democratic values align with our editorial policy. The Amargi’s spotlight is on Kurdistan, but we also focus on Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, as well as the broader Middle East. In a region where undemocratic regimes, foreign intervention, and powerful corporations determine the political discourse and suppress self-determination, dissent, and diversity, we aspire to be a powerful voice for those rendered powerless and voiceless. “Amargi”, a Sumerian word, is regarded as the first known written word for “freedom”. If you want to support and help expand The Amargi by becoming a donor, please visit: https://www.theamargi.com/donate
