ÊLIH - Pointing out that the state has not taken concrete steps since the beginning of the process, Êlih Peace Mothers demanded that the state take the first step by ensuring the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. 

 

While the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which started with Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's Call for Peace and Democratic Society, continues, many people want the state and the government to take concrete steps as soon as possible. Êlih (Batman) Peace Mothers Assembly members also stated that the government should take legal steps as soon as possible.

 

Peace Mother Fatma Katlığ said they have been calling for peace for 45 years. “Every time we reach out our hand they hit us with a stick. The Kurdish people have taken great steps, the state should take steps as soon as possible. When steps are taken late, the way for provocations is paved. The Kurdish people are constantly in the field and resisting for peace," she said.

 

Fatma Katlığ stated that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Abdullah Öcalan's violation of the right to hope should be implemented as soon as possible. She added: "There are thousands of ill prisoners, political prisoners. Our guerrilla’s funerals are attacked, our mountains are still being bombed. The state must take concrete steps. As long as Mr Öcalan is not released, none of the steps taken have any meaning." 

 

Sultan Azboy demanded the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. She reacted not letting speak in Kurdish in the commission established in the Parliament for the solution of the Kurdish issue: "How can a commission that does not make peace with our language take a decision? It is inhuman to impose Turkish on mothers who do not speak a word of Turkish. The whole world should open its eyes and stop the bloodshed.”

 

'WE STAND BEHIND OUR PARTY'

 

Sultan Azboy said that the previous processes were disrupted because the state did not approach them seriously and listed their demands: "We want our language, culture, democracy and an honourable life. Devlet Bahçeli wanted Mr Öcalan to come to the Parliament and speak, let him fulfil his promise. Ill prisoners should be released immediately. The threatening language towards Rojava should be abandoned. As Mr Öcalan said, constitutional steps should be taken.”

 

'THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN WAR KNOW THE VALUE OF PEACE'

 

Melehat Sarhan stated that those who have seen the destructiveness of war know the value of peace better and said: "We are struggling for exactly such a world. Kurds have taken more than 20 steps. The state and the government should also take steps. Their first step should be the freedom of Mr Öcalan." 

 

Melehat Sarhan stated that peace is not only a Kurdish issue but also a matter of the peoples of the world. She concluded: "Turks need to struggle more for peace. Their children are also losing their lives. We see Palestine. We can see all the destructiveness of war there. Turkish mothers should prepare their children for peace, not war. Instead of raising nationalist, racist and denialist children, they should raise children who believe in peace, democracy and freedoms. The role of mothers in peace is therefore very important."

 

MA / Fethi Balaman