The Labor and Democracy Platform and the Democratic Institutions Platform organized a rally in the province of Amed (tr: Diyarbakır) on September 1, International Day of Peace.
Thousands of people reiterated their demand for peace in the rally, which was a scene of great excitement with the highest turnout in recent years.
Amed residents who took part in the demonstration spoke to ANF and expressed their wishes and expectations.
‘We want the state to act transparently’
Peace Mother Müşereh Ülker stated that the state has still not taken any concrete steps since Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’.
“Today, we are here for peace, we walk for peace. We will make our demand for peace known to the world. For centuries, they have ignored the demands of the Kurdish people, they have always seen the Kurdish people as a threat. Today, both Turks and Kurds must embrace this process. We expect the commission that has been established in parliament to take important steps. The Peace Mothers attended the commission’s sessions, but they were prevented from speaking in their own language. This has shattered our faith. We want the state to act transparently,” Ülker said.
‘Kurdish people demand freedom for Öcalan and peace in this land’
Mustafa Yaşodun noted that the Kurdish people have paid a heavy price for peace, saying: “Today, the Kurdish people are engaged in a process initiated by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. This process began with the call on February 27. There have been peace processes before, but they did not reach a conclusion. Today, the Kurdish people once again stand in favor of peace and insist on peace. A major initiative for peace has been launched following the step taken by Leader Öcalan. However, attacks on Medya Defense Zones (guerrilla areas in northern Iraq) continue. The question that must be asked is whether the state and the government want peace. The Kurdish people have only one demand: the freedom of Leader Öcalan and the building of peace in this land.”
‘The state must take steps immediately’
Mehmet Çetin stressed that the Kurds strongly support Abdullah Öcalan and the peace process, saying, “We consider this process very important. We want the Kurdish people’s identity, language, and culture to be recognized. We have very high expectations from this process. I want everyone to join the path opened by peace envoy Leader Öcalan. Everyone should support peace. The state must take steps immediately.”