The process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” continues with the work of the “National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission” established in parliament.
In recent days, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) submitted a list to the commission, requesting hearings with journalists, lawyers, non-governmental organizations, relatives of the disappeared, and families who lost loved ones during the conflict.
Among those on the list is Cihan Sincar, the wife of Mehmet Sincar, a former Democratic Party (DEP) member of parliament who was murdered in broad daylight in Batman on September 4, 1993.
The case of Mehmet Sincar, who was murdered together with Batman DEP provincial executive Metin Özdemir during an investigation into unsolved political murders, was left to lapse after thirty-two years. Meanwhile, the perpetrator, Hezbollah member Cihan Yıldız, was released after eleven years in detention.
Cihan Sincar stated that the new process has brought hope and joy to the Kurdish people, who have long struggled for democracy and peace. She emphasized that swift and concrete steps are crucial to strengthening confidence in the process.
Sincar highlighted the importance of sincere and honest measures and said: “The state must first apologize to this people, who have endured immense pain and paid heavy prices.” She drew attention to the Kurdish people’s decades-long struggle for peace despite massacres and every kind of hardship.
Concrete steps will strengthen people’s trust in the process
Cihan Sincar recalled that Mehmet Sincar and his companions had devoted many years to seeking a solution to the Kurdish question, yet the state at that time adopted a very harsh stance, the cost of which was the loss of lives.
She expressed the family’s satisfaction with the new process beginning after so many years. “We hope that this process will end with good results. According to the needs of our time, we must address problems today through dialogue and negotiation. The Kurdish people have paid very serious and heavy prices on their own land. We also want to resolve problems through democracy and dialogue,” she said.
Sincar underlined the significance of the newly established commission, noting that all families and individuals harmed by the war would be heard, and that they themselves would speak before the commission in their mother tongue, with their culture and views. She added that their greatest wish is to one day stand at the graves of their loved ones and say: “The peace and democracy you dreamed of now exist.”
This people want an honorable peace
Cihan Sincar emphasized that the Kurdish people have paid heavy prices and that sincere and swift steps must be taken in this process.
Sincar said, “We want an honorable peace, with our heads held high. After so many sacrifices, we do not want a peace trampled underfoot.” She pointed out that thousands of people are imprisoned and thousands more are in exile simply for saying, “I am Kurdish.” Sincar called for the immediate release of sick prisoners, the freedom of those unjustly held in prisons, and an end to the use of “terrorist” rhetoric.
Past massacres must be confronted
Cihan Sincar stated that strong steps must be taken in the process, including constitutional amendments and the implementation of equal citizenship regulations. She recalled that people were murdered simply for demanding equal rights without arms, and that Mehmet Sincar had gone to Batman (Êlih) to stop the bloodshed, but the state at that time failed to fulfill its duty.
Sincar said, “Those who killed him were also left unpunished. For thirty-two years, the perpetrators were never brought before a court. The murderers of Mehmet Sincar, Apê Musa (Musa Anter), Vedat Aydın, and hundreds of other heroes whose names we cannot list must be found and held accountable before justice.”
The process must move forward quickly
Cihan Sincar underlined that the state must apologize to the people for the massacres that took place. She said, “What was done to this people is not something small. They must apologize to the people for all the torture and losses inflicted. They must apologize to all the martyrs of democracy. For this reason, the process must move forward quickly. At every door that opens, we want to explain our pain and resolve this issue. Because only those who lived through it know this pain. These heavy prices must conclude with peace and a solution. We will also do everything we can in this process.”
Those who left us entrusted the legacy of struggle
Cihan Sincar affirmed that they will continue the struggle, standing with the people in resistance and against injustice.
She said, “We will not leave the legacy of struggle lying on the ground. As those who remain, we must realize the demands of those who are gone. Mehmet Sincar and those like him are our honor. We will always continue to speak for them and for their struggle for democracy.”
This process will succeed
Finally, Cihan Sincar stated that everyone who struggles for democracy must support this process. She added, “No matter what, we know that peace will be built through this struggle. Our demands are not very great; whatever exists for the Turk, we want the same for the Kurd. We want to live freely and equally on our own land.”