BBC NEWS | Europe |
There is far more freedom in Turkey today to speak or sing in Kurdish than when the PKK took up arms, in the days when even the existence of the Kurds was officially denied here.
Private courses in the Kurdish language are now permitted and there is some Kurdish language broadcasting on Turkish state TV.
But there are still strict limits. Those who insist on a distinct Kurdish identity are widely viewed with suspicion and state prosecutors regularly file criminal charges for spreading PKK propaganda or for supporting separatism.
The main pro-Kurdish political party, the DTP, has 20 seats in the current parliament but is now on trial and facing closure. It is accused of having links to the PKK and being the "focus of activities against the integrity of the state".
Kurdish human rights groups also say many children who were involved in street protests that became riots in the south-east two years ago are still on trial there.
They have been charged with supporting the PKK - or even belonging to it.
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