Fourteen years have passed since 34 civilians, 19 of them minors, were killed in a bombardment by Turkish warplanes in the village of Roboski, in the Uludere district of Şırnak, on 28 December 2011. The victims were commemorated at their graves on the anniversary of the massacre which remains a bleeding wound in the history and memory of the Kurdish people as the perpetrators have never been brought to justice.
In addition to the families of the victims, DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, representatives of the Human Rights Association (IHD), KESK (Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions), Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), bar association; political parties; democratic mass organizations, and numerous individuals attended the commemoration in the Roboski village on Sunday.
Speaking here, Tülay Hatimoğulları pointed out that most of those killed were children, saying that Roboski had not been forgotten and would not be forgotten. “Their smiles were cut short, their games were cut short, their schooling was cut short. Children and youngsters who had to cross the border to support their families were killed in an intense bombardment,” she said.
Recalling that the state remained silent after the massacre, Hatimoğulları continued, “We have been asking for 14 years: was Roboski discussed at the National Security Council meeting that day? This must be clarified. Not a single statement was made for 24 hours. Then they said it was ‘misintelligence’, and an ‘operational accident’. There was no apology, no condolences, no trial.”
“If it was misintelligence, those who provided it must be identified. If not, those who gave the order for the planes to take off and strike must be exposed and brought to justice,” said the DEM Party Co-Chair, emphasising that the massacre in Roboski was a crime against humanity.
Hatimoğulları pointed out that the state was attempting to close the Roboski case and that a dual legal system persisted in the country. “This is a grave crime. Those who gave the orders, those who rained bombs down on the children, are known and must be brought to justice immediately,” she said.
Referring to the Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan, Hatimoğulları stated, “Blood has been shed on this land for 50 years. We say enough is enough. We want peace. But an honourable peace is not possible without confronting the pain and the truth.”
Emphasising that confronting Roboski is a prerequisite for peace, she said, ‘The path to establishing peace in this country is through revealing the truth about Roboski. A sincere apology and serious confrontation are needed.”
Hatimoğulları stated that the families of Roboski defended peace despite all their suffering, drawing attention to the Encü family’s call for peace at the graveside. “There is nothing more valuable than people whose hearts are filled with pain demanding peace.”
Hatimoğulları stressed that it was thanks to the honourable resistance and sacrifices of the Kurdish people that peace could be discussed today, saying, “Our struggle will continue until a fair and equal system is established, where children are not forced to work across borders.”
DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır stated in his speech that the Roboski case had not been closed and would not be closed. “There will be no peace without justice for Roboski. Peace cannot stand on one leg,” he said.
Emphasising that the past cannot be forgotten, Bayındır stated, “We will continue to follow the Roboski case until justice is served on this land. We were here yesterday, and we will be here tomorrow.”
The commemoration ended with carnations being laid on the graves of the victims and prayers being said.