Following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's “Call for Peace and Democratic Society”, which was shared with the public on February 27, the PKK declared a ceasefire. Despite the call, which resonated around the world, the government's failure to take steps is met with reaction. 

 

During the 1980 military coup in Diyarbakır Prison, Eşref Anyık, Mahmut Zengin, Necmi Öner and Ferhat Kurtay set their bodies on fire against torture and inhumane practices. These names, who led the resistance in the prison, went down in history as the “Four”. 

 

His older brother Mehmet Ferit Kurtay, who was in prison with Ferhat Kurtay at the time, made evaluations about the events of that period and the process. Kurtay stated that at the time his brother Ferhat Kurtay carried out his action, he was also a prisoner in the 31st ward, where PKK's leading cadres were held.  

 

'THE PURPOSE OF FERHATS'

 

"Ferhat (Kurtay), Mazlum (Doğan), Hayri (Durmuş), Kemal (Pir) said 'May our people and our children live free' when they carried out their actions. They carried out these actions so that Kurdish children could live free. Their aim was to make brotherhood, freedom and beauty prevail. They aimed for Kurds to exist in peace, tranquility and freedom. They carried out their actions so that the Kurds would be recognized. Kurds did not leave these lands and continued to live here. For 100 years a lot has happened. But from now on, there should be no more bloodshed. The crying of mothers and the suffering must stop. If Kurds and Turks unite their efforts, no one can stand in their way. That is why we want a lasting peace, brotherhood and a process in which Kurds can see themselves in it. That is why we support this call and say that we are behind it. We want this war to end now.” 

 

'WE WILL NOT TAKE A STEP BACK'

 

Kurtay stated that as Kurds, they are behind the call made by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan until the end and said, “Even if the state does not take a step, we will not step back from this point we have reached.” 

 

Expressing his feelings on the day Abdullah Öcalan's call was read out, Kurtay said, “I thought to myself that it was possible for the process to reach this stage in 1983, 1993 and 2015. However, it did not happen because of those who wanted war. But this time we have hope. We will do our part in this process. As a matter of fact, we have no expectations from the state. We look at ourselves and when we do our part, we will succeed.” 

 

SOCIETY SHOULD EMBRACE THE CALL

 

Kurtay reminded that Abdullah Öcalan's call is currently on Turkey's agenda, but noted that the government is trying to deflect the agenda with operations against the CHP. Kurtay stressed: “What needs to be done against this is to embrace the call more. When this call is embraced and this embrace grows, it is inevitable that the state will take steps. When we do our part, the state will also have to do its part. First of all, there are sick prisoners. They need to be released. All prisoners must be released so that this process can be carried out. It is not a situation that will happen only with the families. Society needs to be prepared for this.” 

 

'STEPS MUST BE TAKEN'

 

“We believe in this process and we want it to succeed,” said Kurtay and added, ”It is necessary to include the entire public in this process. In 22 years, as processes have started and broken down, our people's trust in the state has decreased. In order for this belief to grow, those in power need to take a positive step or make positive statements. This must be done so that the process is embraced more strongly.”

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal