MERSIN – Participants at the Democratic Unity Initiative meeting in Mersin stated that the Commission should meet with the solution’s key figure, Abdullah Ocalan.
Citizens attending the Democratic Unity Initiative’s promotional meeting in Mersin criticized the state and the government for failing to respond to the steps taken by the Kurdish Freedom Movement during the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which began with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s February 27 call.
Evaluating the process, participants called on the state and government to act promptly. Referring to the previous process, Yakup Ozbay said: “Those who laid down arms were arrested, those coming from Europe were arrested, those coming from Habur were arrested. In Oslo and the previous peace process, it was again the state that overturned the table. Most recently, the Freedom Movement announced that a group had burned their weapons and crossed the border, yet the state has still not taken any corresponding step.”
Ozbay expressed support for the commission but criticized it for lacking sufficient determination, saying, “The commission has held 17-18 meetings; however, no outcome will be reached unless a meeting with Mr. Öcalan occurs. The commission should pressure the government and see itself as an active agent of will. The Kurds have always been proponents of peace.”
‘THE SOLUTION REQUIRES LEADER’
Idris Nas emphasized that meeting with Abdullah Öcalan is essential for the process to progress: “Despite 18 meetings of the commission, no decision has been made because no meeting with our Leader has taken place. The commission meeting with the Leader would build public trust. The problem can only be resolved through the Leader.”
Expressing distrust in the process that has continued for a year, Hediye Tamur said: “They are deceiving us. They talk about peace, but there is none. We would trust if there were a meeting with the Leader, but still no meeting has occurred. Despite mothers who demand peace, the state does not take action.”
‘LET PEACE COME’
Peace Mother Emine Eren called on the commission to meet with Abdullah Öcalan without delay and said: “It has been eight months since our Leader’s peace call, yet the state has still not acted. Mothers have paid heavy prices for years; I no longer want to be deceived. Let peace come; if necessary, I am ready to act as a human shield. Thousands of mothers do not even have the graves of their children. Mothers should no longer have to cry.”
MA/ Mehmet Gules - Abdulkadir Ayten