The echoes of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" continue. Support for the call continues to come from all segments of society. Members of the Peace Mothers' Assembly, who have been struggling for "peace" for years in Gever (Yüksekova) district of Colemêrg (Hakkari), drew attention to Abdullah Öcalan's call and called on the state to "take steps".

 

'PEACE POSSIBLE'

 

Emphasising that Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's messages are full of hope, Emine Engüdar said, "For many years there was no news from the Leader. There were three meetings and then he sent a letter for the peoples. This message made us happy and honoured. We hope that this call will lead to peace and the deaths will end. If another century passes with deaths and arrests, this problem cannot be solved in the same way. But it is possible to build peace with the letter sent by the Leader. Therefore, the ceasefire should not be one-sided. We extended our hand for brotherhood and peace. Now it is their turn. Newroz is approaching and this year again we will fill the Newroz fields for the freedom of Mr Öcalan. We also want a video message to be delivered at Newroz. We demand Mr Öcalan's physical freedom, he should come and take part in active politics. This is the only solution."

 

'WE WANT TO SEE OUR LEADER'

 

Gülbeyaz Mıhçı demanded the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and stated that she is still in favour of peace as the mother of 2 children, one of whom is a prisoner and one who lost his life in the conflict. Gülbeyaz Mıhçı stated that they are happy with the outcome of the call and the steps taken and said, "We have lost many lives, but we do not want any mother to shed tears and lose her child after today. We want this Newroz to be a Newroz of peace. We want to see our leader alive in Newroz and hear his voice. Turkey should also take steps in this framework. The state should also declare a ceasefire. We expect concrete steps to be taken until Newroz."

 

'WE ARE IN FAVOUR OF PEACE'

 

Peace Mother Baran Baki said that their hopes for peace increased after Abdullah Öcalan's call and said, "We take our faith from our Leader. We are cautious because there is no concrete step from the state yet. The ceasefire must be bilateral. As mothers struggling for freedom, we are in favour of peace. We will always continue our struggle for peace. We hope that this Newroz will be instrumental for peace and freedom."

 

MA / Ruken Polat