---
title: "4 Leyla Zana Quotes - Famous Politician (Ecrits de prison)"
description: "Leyla Zana is a Kurdish politician in Turkey. She was imprisoned for ten years for her political activism, which was deemed by the Turkish courts to be ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b016/author-leyla-zana-60105.jpg"
---

![Portrait of Leyla Zana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b016/author-leyla-zana-60105.jpg)

# Leyla Zana

(1961)   Politician   Turkey

 **4** quotes in **38** categories

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Leyla Zana is a politician from Turkey, best known for *Ecrits de prison*.

## Quick Facts About Leyla Zana

Born May 3, 1961

Nationality Turkey

Profession Politician

Notable works Ecrits de prison

Spouse Mehdi Zana

## About Leyla Zana

Leyla Zana is a Kurdish politician in Turkey. She was imprisoned for ten years for her political activism, which was deemed by the Turkish courts to be against the unity of the country. She was awarded the 1995 Sakharov Prize by the European Parliament but was unable to collect it until her release in 2004. She was also awarded the Rafto Prize in 1994 after being recognized by the Rafto Foundation for being incarcerated for her peaceful struggle for the human rights of the Kurdish people in Turkey and the neighbouring countries.

## Awards & Honors

Bruno Kreisky Award for Services to Human Rights Sakharov Prize Rafto Prize

##  Quotes by Leyla Zana

> [Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leyla-zana/let-us-refuse-to-be-silent-speaking-freely-is-a-decisive-step-forward/)

[Leyla Zana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leyla-zana/)

[Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/leyla-zana-70539_freedom_let-us-refuse-to-be-silent-speaking-free_1934848.png)

> [I have defended democracy, human rights, and brotherhood between peoples. And I'll keep doing so for as long as I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leyla-zana/i-have-defended-democracy-human-rights-and-brotherhood-between/)

[Leyla Zana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leyla-zana/)

[Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/leyla-zana-70539_brotherhood_i-have-defended-democracy-human-rights-a_2754446.png)

> [Women's fight for equal rights is essentially a humanist and peaceful struggle for true democracy, and a higher form of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leyla-zana/women-s-fight-for-equal-rights-is-essentially-a-humanist-and-peaceful/)

[Leyla Zana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leyla-zana/)

[Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa0/leyla-zana-70539_civilization_women-s-fight-for-equal-rights-is-essent_2783918.png)

> [Kurds are like fire, if approached kindly they will warm you, if approached badly they will burn you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leyla-zana/kurds-are-like-fire-if-approached-kindly-they-will-warm-you-if/)

[Leyla Zana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leyla-zana/)

[Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/leyla-zana-70539_approach_kurds-are-like-fire-if-approached-kindly_2986841.png)

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