Leyla Zana
(1961-)

Turkish Human Rights Activist
1994 Rafto Prize for Human Rights
1995 Bruno Kreisky Prize for Human Rights
1995 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought
1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005

birthdate: May 3
birthplace: Silvan near Diyarbakir, in the southeast of Turkey

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QUOTES

“We refuse to be silent! To speak out freely is a decisive step on the way to freedom.”

I have defended democracy, human rights, and brotherhood between peoples. And I’ll keep doing so for as long as I live.

I love life and want to hold onto it. But my passion for justice for my tormented people, for their dignity and freedom, must be greater still. For of what value is a life of slavery, of humiliation and contempt for that which you hold most dear: Your identity! I will therefore not give in to the Turkish Inquisition.