Many groups submitted applications to the Ministry of Justice to meet Abdullah Öcalan, who is being held on Imrali Island, after the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society. Journalists, civil society organizations, and various segments of society were among those who applied, including the Peace Mothers Assembly.
The Peace Mothers said that the process must be conducted in a more transparent, sincere, and socially participatory manner, noting that this application was important for directly conveying their views on the process. They said that opening the doors of Imrali to all segments of society would further accelerate the process and underlined that once the process reaches a successful outcome, they would finally begin mourning the losses they have long been forced to postpone.
Process must not move forward one-sided
Hatice Yaşar said that the process was being conducted in a one-sided manner and that the failure to take concrete steps was diminishing hopes. Yaşar said: “This process must not move forward one-sided. It has been going on for a year, but not a single step has been taken. Our hope is not fading because of our own side; it is fading because of the state.”
Yaşar said that sick prisoners must be released and stressed that mothers should no longer have to cry, pointing to the deep pain they have been forced to endure.
Hatice Yaşar also said: “I lost two of my children during this process, and I could not even find the grave of one of them. There are hundreds of mothers like me. I want my child’s grave. I want to mourn at the graveside.”
Yaşar stated that peace is also the path to being able to mourn and said: “That is why this process is so important for all of us. For us, peace means being able to mourn and no longer postponing that mourning.” She added that the process must move forward more decisively and called for the lifting of the isolation on Imrali.
Imrali’s doors opening would strengthen the process
Hatice Yaşar stated that the doors of Imrali must be opened, stressing that this step is essential for the process to move forward sincerely. Yaşar said: “As mothers, we believe that the doors of Imrali must be opened for this process to advance in a genuine way. Journalists, mothers, politicians, everyone should be able to go to Imrali. Everyone should ask their questions, and all questions should receive answers. Only in this way can trust be built in this process.”
Meryem Turan said that the process began on February 27 and is still ongoing, adding that concrete steps must be taken at an early stage for it to move forward in a healthy manner and added: “The first step is the lifting of the isolation and the opening of the doors of Imrali.”
Everyone must be able to meet
Meryem Turan said that if Abdullah Öcalan is the main interlocutor, opportunities for meetings must be expanded. Turan said, “If the interlocutor today is Mr. Öcalan, the way must be opened for him to meet with everyone and to share his views. Mothers, journalists, and all segments of society must be able to meet with him.”
Hatice Turan said that they had submitted applications months ago requesting meetings and stressed that these applications must be approved. She said, “If meetings are allowed and the doors of Imrali are opened, this process will accelerate and reach its goal.”