Within the framework of the “Peace and Democratic Society Process” initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has organized numerous gatherings across various cities. A meeting was also held in Mereş to convey Ocalan’s call and discuss the ongoing peace process. 

 

Hatice Engizek emigrated due to political pressure. She expressed hope and appreciation for the renewed talks on peace after years of struggle. She stressed the importance of learning from past experiences and emphasised that the peace process should not be left solely to official commissions. 

 

“Everyone must contribute; we must overcome polarization and division. Political prisoners should be released, and bans lifted,” she said. 

 

Ali Sincer, a Kurdish Alevi citizen, recalled the heavy losses suffered due to massacres and assimilation policies. Despite mistrust toward the authorities managing the process, he firmly supported peace and rejected the labelling of their struggle as “terrorism.” Sincer said: “We are founders of this country, as are other minority peoples like Turkmens, Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and Syriacs. For peace to happen, first there must be law, justice, democracy, and freedom in Turkey. Without these, peace is meaningless.”

 

UNIVERSAL NEED FOR PEACE,

 

Hasan Engizek stressed the preciousness of peace and the necessity to protect it and said: “As long as betrayal does not enter, peace can be achieved. This land needs peace. If the commission enforces its decisions, it would be very valuable. The whole world needs peace, not just Turkey.”

 

Ali Demirci described peace as synonymous with development and called for collective support for the process. He noted that many Kurds in Europe wish to return home and contribute economically if peace prevails. “About 70-80 per cent of the population now supports peace. If the necessary rights are secured and laws reformed, problems will be resolved,” he said. 

 

YEARNING TO RETURN HOME

 

Fatma Sincer shared how she and others had to emigrate for political, economic, and identity-based reasons. She wished that the peace process to bring an end to war and bloodshed, allowing her to return to her homeland. She concluded: “No mother should cry anymore. We want honesty and sincerity from both sides.”

 

MA / Sema Bingol