Media Advisory

202.483.6444

December 8, 2000

Mehdi Zana is Available

to Meet with Members of the Media

As an avowed Kurdish activist, Mehdi Zana first came to prominence in 1977 when he was elected mayor of Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish city in Turkey and the world. Three years later, the Turkish military jailed Zana, subjecting him to torture for about two years. Incarcerated at various times for a total of more than 17 years, he is a refugee now living in Europe.

Another Zana who is far more talked about is Leyla Zana, Mr. Zana's partner, who served in the Turkish parliament and was also thrown into prison in 1994. Both Zanas are on record for opposing violence in the resolution of the Turkish/Kurdish conflict. Both are admired immensely throughout the Kurdish lands in the Middle East. Of the 25 years of married life that they have had together, only four have been with one another.

If the Kurds have a non-partisan Kurdish statesman, it could safely be said that that person is Mehdi Zana. Some have also called him the Elie Wiesel of the Kurdish world. His book, Prison Number 5, like Mr. Wiesel's Night, is disturbing and poignant. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that Mr. Wiesel wrote the preface of Mr. Zana's book when it first saw the light of day in western world.

Mr. Zana will be in the Washington area to attend a conference of torture survivors during the weekend and will stay in town until Wednesday, December 13, 2000.