The people of Van (Wan) spoke to ANF about their expectations of the “Commission for Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy” established in Parliament. They underlined that the process must be embraced and stated that ensuring the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and guaranteeing the Kurdish people’s rights to language, identity, and culture in the constitution are the cornerstones of the process.
We must strengthen Abdullah Öcalan’s position
Emin Karaman said that the peace process is very important and that both sides must take responsibility.
He added: “This peace process must be embraced by all the people of Kurdistan. We must protect the path opened by Abdullah Öcalan. This process is truly vital for the Kurdish people. We must strengthen Abdullah Öcalan’s position. We must not give our enemies, who multiply across the four parts of Kurdistan, any opportunity. We must stand by the children of the Kurds who have been fighting in the mountains of Kurdistan for years.
We must hold on to our language and culture and resist those who ban them. We cry out for peace in every field. From this moment on, the state must take important steps.”
We are cautious against the mindset responsible for massacres
Mother Ayten Saygül stated that they have struggled for peace in every field and said:“On the one hand, we have trust in this process because of Abdullah Öcalan, but, on the other hand, we approach it with caution because of the mindset that has been hostile to us for centuries and has subjected us to massacres. We trust Abdullah Öcalan. Our expectations of the peace process are very high. First of all, we want the right to education in our mother tongue, the right to culture and art, the right to identity, and a free life on our own land.
Most importantly, we want the freedom of Öcalan. We know that the path to peace lies in his freedom. All political prisoners must be released. These steps must be taken for peace to come. Whoever extends their hand for peace, we will stand with them. We do not want mothers to cry anymore.”
The rights of Kurds must be constitutionally guaranteed
Seyhan Bozkuş emphasized that the cornerstone of peace is the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and said: “Wherever there is a process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan, there is trust, morale, and success. The process he initiated has brought a new breakthrough for Kurdistan. This breakthrough gave confidence to the Kurdish people. For this process initiated by Öcalan, there are steps the state must take.
The primary expectation of Kurdish youth is the freedom of Öcalan. He does not ask the Kurdish people to renounce their demands. He asks for recognition of their identity, language, and culture. All of these must be guaranteed in the constitution. If these demands are not constitutionally guaranteed, the peace process will become blocked.
We do not want the peace process to be blocked. The place of resolution lies in the freedom of Öcalan and at the negotiating table.”
Now the state must also take steps
Sinan Ok stated that the Kurdish people are struggling for their rights and support the peace process: “We want the Kurdish people to be recognized with their will, identity, and language. The steps taken by Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are important, but now the state must also take steps. Today, a commission has been formed. This commission must urgently take steps to meet the demands of the Kurdish people.”