Şerafettin Elçi facts for kids

Şerafettin Elçi (born March 14, 1938 – died December 25, 2012) was an important Kurdish lawyer and politician from Turkey. He served as a government minister and was one of the first people to lead Kurdish politics in Turkey.

Early Life and Education

Şerafettin Elçi was born in Cizre, Şırnak Province, Turkey, on March 14, 1938. He finished his first years of school in his hometown. After that, he completed his secondary education in Mardin.

He then went on to study law at Ankara University, Law School, graduating in 1964. During his time at university, he faced legal challenges. He was part of a group tried in a case known as the "Case of the 49s." This was because he was accused of promoting Kurdish identity.

After finishing university, he started his career as a lawyer in Cizre. Later, in 1971, after a military takeover in Turkey, Şerafettin Elçi was arrested. He was held in a military prison for about eight months.

Political Journey

In 1977, Şerafettin Elçi became a member of the parliament. He represented Mardin Province for the Justice Party. In 1978, he became the Minister of Public Works in a new government led by Bülent Ecevit. He served in this role until 1979.

As a minister, he traveled to southeastern provinces. He spoke about the need for more government help and development in these areas. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the region. He openly stated that he was a Kurd and called for changes in how the government treated Kurdish people.

After another military takeover in 1980, Elçi was among many politicians who were arrested. He was put on trial for saying, "There are Kurds in Turkey, I am also a Kurd." He faced legal consequences and was not allowed to work as a lawyer or in politics for a period.

In 1992, Şerafettin Elçi helped create the "Kurdish Rights and Freedom Foundation." He became its president. After a long legal effort, this organization was officially recognized in 1995 as the "Kurdish Culture and Research Foundation." This was a big step because it was the first time an organization with the word "Kurdish" in its name was officially allowed in Turkey.

Elçi also helped start the "Kurdish Democratic Platform" in 1994. This group worked to form the "Democratic Mass Party," which began in 1997. He became the leader of this party. However, the party was later closed down by the Constitutional Court in 1999. He then became the leader of the "Participatory Democracy Party" (KADEP) in 2006.

In 2011, Şerafettin Elçi was elected to parliament again, this time as an independent representative for Diyarbakır Province. At the start of his term, he chose not to take the usual oath of office. He explained that he felt the oath was not fair to his political beliefs and identity.

Family and Passing

Şerafettin Elçi passed away on December 25, 2012, in a hospital in Ankara. He had been receiving treatment for cancer. After a ceremony in front of the parliament building, his body was taken to Diyarbakır and then to Cizre. He was buried in a religious funeral attended by many people.

Şerafettin Elçi was survived by his wife, Fatma Elçi, and their seven children. His daughter Evin married the well-known football manager Mustafa Denizli in 2010.

Recognition

The airport in Şırnak is named after Şerafettin Elçi.

See also

• List of members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey who died in office