Zehra Doğan (born 14 April 1989) is a Kurdish artist, journalist, and author from Diyarbakır, Turkey. She has gained international recognition for her courageous activism in the face of government oppression and for using her art as a medium to shed light on the struggles of the Kurdish people.
Doğan was a founder and the editor of Jinha, a feminist Kurdish news agency that had an all-female staff. Through Jinha, she aimed to bring attention to the issues faced by Kurdish women and promote gender equality in a society where they often faced discrimination and violence.
In February 2016, Doğan moved to Nusaybin, a town in southeastern Turkey, and began reporting from there. Nusaybin had become a site of intense clashes between state security forces and Kurdish insurgents, resulting in the destruction of the town. Doğan witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict on the lives of the Kurdish people, and it fueled her determination to uncover the truth and raise awareness through her work.
However, Doğan’s efforts were met with fierce resistance from the Turkish authorities. On 21 July 2016, she was detained at a café in Nusaybin and subsequently incarcerated on 23 July in Mardin prison. Her release pending trial was only granted on 9 December of the same year. Despite being acquitted of the charge of belonging to an illegal organization in March 2017, she was sentenced to 2 years, 9 months, and 22 days in jail for her news reporting and for sharing a painting of hers on social media.
The painting in question depicted the destruction of Nusaybin, symbolizing the broader destruction caused by the conflict. Doğan’s art became a powerful medium through which she conveyed the pain and suffering experienced by her people. She wrote on Twitter after her sentencing, I was given two years and 10 months [jail time] only because I painted Turkish flags on destroyed buildings. However, they (Turkish government) caused this. I only painted it.
While in prison, Doğan continued to defy the suppression of her voice. She and other women created the newspaper Özgür Gündem Zindan (Free Agenda Dungeon), in an act of resistance. The name of the publication was a wordplay on Özgür Gündem (Free Agenda), an Istanbul-based newspaper that catered to Kurdish audiences. Doğan’s determination to uphold the principles of free speech and press freedom even from behind bars demonstrated her unwavering commitment to fighting for justice and the rights of her people.
The international community rallied behind Doğan, recognizing the injustice she faced. In 2017, she was awarded the Metin Göktepe Award, which is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to human rights and freedom of the press. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei also expressed solidarity with Doğan’s case, highlighting the shared struggles of artistic expression in China and Turkey.
Another powerful voice joined in supporting Doğan’s cause in 2018 when renowned graffiti artist Banksy unveiled a mural in New York. The mural measured 70 feet long and depicted black tally marks symbolizing the days of Doğan’s imprisonment. One set of tally marks became bars behind which Doğan’s face looked out from jail. Banksy, in an interview with The New York Times, expressed empathy for her situation, stating, I really feel for her… I’ve painted things much more worthy of a custodial sentence.
After serving her sentence, Doğan was released from Tarsus Prison on 24 February 2019. Her resilience and courage continue to inspire people around the world and her work serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art and journalism in advocating for justice and human rights. By using her creativity to shed light on the struggles of the Kurdish people, Zehra Doğan has not only made a significant impact on society but has also cemented her place in women’s history as a remarkable artist and activist.
Awards:
– Metin Göktepe Award (2017)