Former Turkish Minister Calls for Renaming Tunceli over “Scars of the Past”
Former Turkish Minister of National Education and one of the founding members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Hüseyin Çelik, has sparked widespread debate after boldly calling for the official name of the province of Tunceli to be changed back to its historical name, Dersim, arguing that such a step is an essential part of the state’s reconciliation with its past.
In a statement published on his social media platforms, Çelik referred to the “Dersim events” of 1937–1938 as a painful chapter that left deep scars in the collective memory of the Turkish people, stressing that the passage of time has not erased the suffering endured by the region. “What must be done today as a tangible step,” Çelik stated, “is to restore the name Dersim to Tunceli.”
The former minister also recalled the historic remarks previously made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who once said: “If it is necessary to apologize on behalf of the state, then I will apologize.” Çelik argued that such an apology should be followed by concrete measures aimed at “restoring the dignity and reputation” of the city and its residents, emphasizing that the rule of law requires states to confront the mistakes of the past with courage.
Çelik’s proposals extended beyond merely changing the name. He also called for a broader set of measures, including:
Clearly incorporating the historical facts surrounding the Dersim events into school curricula.
Revealing the full truth about what occurred and holding morally responsible parties accountable.
Transforming the official apology into an institutional act that safeguards the dignity of those affected.
Çelik’s remarks carry particular political weight due to his long-standing influence in Turkish politics. He began his political career in the True Path Party before becoming a leading figure within the AKP and serving as Minister of National Education from 2003 to 2009. Observers believe that his proposal could reopen political and social debates concerning identity and cultural rights in Turkey.
He concluded his statement by asserting that reconciliation with history is not a sign of weakness, but rather a source of strength that reinforces civil peace and helps prevent the repetition of past tragedies.
The Dersim Events
The Dersim massacres remain one of the most controversial chapters in modern Turkish history. Dersim is the historical name of the region now officially known as Tunceli.
Following the establishment of the Turkish Republic under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the state sought to impose strong central authority and unify the country both nationally and linguistically.
The mountainous Dersim region, inhabited predominantly by Alevi Kurds — including Zaza and Kurdish communities — maintained a degree of tribal autonomy and limited state control. In 1935, the “Tunceli Law” officially changed the region’s name from Dersim to Tunceli and granted the military broad powers to administer the area and enforce security.
Between 1937 and 1938, local uprisings and clashes erupted against the Turkish state, some of them led by the Kurdish Alevi leader Seyid Riza.
The Turkish government responded with a large-scale military campaign that included:
Aerial and artillery bombardments.
Sweeping operations across villages and mountainous المناطق.
Arrests and executions.
The forced displacement of thousands of residents to other parts of Turkey.
Seyid Riza was executed in 1937 following a rapid trial that remains highly controversial.
The number of victims remains heavily disputed. Earlier official Turkish narratives spoke of several thousand deaths, while Kurdish historians and some academic studies estimate the toll in the tens of thousands. Historical testimonies also describe forced deportations and the separation of children from their families.
Why Is the Issue So Sensitive?
The controversy largely stems from differing interpretations of what happened. For decades, the Turkish state described the events as the suppression of a rebellion, whereas many Kurds, Alevis, and historians regard them as a massacre or a campaign of forced assimilation.
In 2011, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued an official apology on behalf of the Turkish state for the Dersim events, describing them as one of the most tragic episodes in modern Turkish history.
Lasting Impact
The memory of Dersim remains deeply embedded within Kurdish and Alevi collective consciousness and continues to shape ongoing debates over minority rights in Turkey, as well as broader historical and political discussions surrounding the founding of the Turkish Republic and policies of Turkification.
Today, the region is officially part of Tunceli Province, although the name “Dersim” continues to be widely used culturally and historically by local residents.
