The former co-mayor of Şırnak’s Cizre district, Berivan Kutlu, was laid to rest in the province of Şırnak on Tuesday. The 44-year-old politician suffered from cancer and succumbed to the disease on Monday in a state hospital in Adana.
On Tuesday, Kutlu’s body was transferred from Adana to Şırnak. The funeral procession was met by women along the way—first in Mardin, then in Cizre. Hundreds accompanied the convoy to the village of Navyan, where Kutlu had grown up. Several thousand people gathered in the village, including the co-chair of the DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları.
The ceremony was marked by mourning and political tributes: women sang dirges and carried the coffin, decorated in green, red, and yellow, on foot to the cemetery, chanting “Şehîd namirin” (Martyrs are immortal).
“She dedicated her life to peace”
At the funeral, Tülay Hatimoğulları paid tribute to Kutlu’s political work, saying: “Berivan dedicated her short life to peace and democracy. As a child of the Kurdish people and an activist in the women’s movement, she has taken her place in the collective memory—not only with her commitment, but with her whole being. Her struggle is our mission. At her grave, we promise: We will complete the song of peace that she began.”
In her speech, Hatimoğulları also addressed current political developments: “At a time when we are once again discussing the rights of the Kurdish people and the establishment of a democratic society, it would have been our wish that she could have continued on this path with us.”
“Her path is our path”
Speaking on behalf of the Free Women’s Movement (TJA), Adalet Çimen Fidan said: “Berivan was convinced that there can be no free society without free women. She overcame her fear of silence and always called for resistance. We will honor her as a democratic martyr and continue on her path.”
Following the funeral, women laid flowers on Kutlu’s grave. The mourners later proceeded to the condolence tent in the nearby district of Silopi.
