Leyla Zana

Leyla Zana is a Kurdish politician from Turkey, known for advocating for Kurdish rights and cultural recognition within Turkey. She was elected to Turkey's parliament in 1991, becoming the first Kurdish woman to do so. Her activism and speeches led to her imprisonment on charges of separatism, which drew international attention and criticism. Zana has been a symbol of Kurdish resistance and civil rights, advocating for peaceful coexistence and cultural acknowledgment. Her work has significantly highlighted issues faced by Kurds in Turkey, making her a prominent figure in both Kurdish and human rights movements.