Ezidis Fight for Land in Turkey as Court Rulings Go Unenforced
Ezidis who fled Turkey’s Batman province in the 1990s due to conflict are facing new obstacles as they attempt to reclaim their ancestral land. Despite court rulings in their favor, their property in Kuşçukuru (Kelhok) village has yet to be returned.
DEM Party MP Zeynep Oduncu Kutevi has brought the issue to the Turkish Parliament, questioning why legal decisions remain unenforced. She warned that the delays erode trust in the judiciary and deepen the sense of injustice among displaced Ezidis.
Her inquiry also addressed the preservation of Ezidi cultural heritage, urging the government to take concrete steps to protect religious sites and expedite land restitution.
With the government pledging to address land disputes in 2025 budget discussions, Ezidis are waiting to see whether justice will finally be served.
Background
In 1992, Ezidi families from Kuşçukuru (Kelhok) village in Batman were forced to migrate to Germany, leaving their land in the custody of local tribal leaders. When they attempted to return two decades later during Turkey’s “peace process,” they found their land occupied.
Despite winning a legal battle confirming their ownership, the Ezidis have faced continued resistance from those now occupying the land. For the past eight years, they have been unable to return, facing threats and violence. Attempts to farm their land under police protection have resulted in attacks.
Before their displacement, approximately 10,000 Ezidis lived across 13 villages in Batman. Today, many remain in exile, waiting for the enforcement of court rulings. The return of their land is seen as a crucial step in allowing displaced Ezidis to come back home.
