Weapons destroyed, a historic step towards peace

img
SULEYMANIYAH - Human rights defenders and intellectuals, who left the arms-burning ceremony of the Peace and Democratic Society Group with hope, pointed out that all segments of society have a responsibility for the success of the process.
 
 
Following a call by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Peace and Democratic Society Group held a symbolic and historical weapon-burning ceremony in Şikefta Casenê, a rural area near Sulaymaniyah. The act was seen as a milestone in efforts to end the decades-long conflict. Politicians, human rights defenders, civil society members, artists, and writers were present at the emotional and hopeful event.
 
WE MUST EMBRACE THIS PROCESS
 
Veli Encü from Roboski emphasized the symbolic importance of the ceremony: “The sincerity of the Kurdish freedom movement and its leader shows today that what they demand is an honorable peace,” he said. “We witnessed this moment. Everyone must recognize its meaning and support it.”
 
Akın Birdal, Honorary Chair of the Human Rights Association (İHD), recalled past peace efforts: “We saw the legitimacy and peaceful nature of the PKK back in 1996. If only the state had accepted this then, so much pain would’ve been avoided,” he said. “Now it’s the state’s turn, the government’s turn, the Parliament’s turn. The honor of peace depends on its socialization. Everyone should ask: ‘What can I do?’”
 
THE STATE MUST ACT TOO
 
Peace Mother Peyrize Kurt, a longtime activist, stated: “We no longer want Kurdish or Turkish children to die. The Kurds have done their part. Now only the state remains to take action,” underlining the urgency of government involvement.
 
Alihan Aksu, Vice President of MAZLUMDER, shared his impressions: “It was a deeply emotional environment. You are witnessing the end of a war and the beginning of peace. Let’s hope it brings positive outcomes for the peoples of Turkey.”
 
PEACE AND FREEDOM HAND IN HAND
 
Artist and human rights activist Julide Kural said: “Combining peace with freedom gave people hope that good things are possible again. We had been distant from such feelings for a long time.” She concluded with a quote from Rosa Luxemburg: “The future of humanity is peace and freedom.”
 
THIS IS THE VICTORY OF THE JUST
 
Celalettin Can from the 78’ers Initiative emphasized: “This is the success of those who were right. No matter what they do, if we walk the right path, we can win.” He expressed joy in witnessing the realization of peace efforts.
 
THIS IS THE PEACE MY BROTHER DREAMED OF
 
Ali Fuat Önder attended the event in honor of his brother Sırrı Süreyya Önder’s legacy: “If this sincerity continues, this issue will quickly disappear from the country’s agenda. I thank everyone involved. I hope we finally see better days, and these lands see spring again.”
 
MA / Dicle Müftüoğlu

View More Articles

09:37 ‘If you carrying out a process, you should also meet with interlocutor”
09:24 Kurdish Research Association demand status for Kurdish language
29/08/2025
14:42 Attack on prisoners in Dumlu Prison
14:25 UN: 841 people executed in Iran in 8 months
13:45 Third day of the 'Social Democratic Alliance Conference'
12:40 Commission should listen to Abdullah Öcalan says Lawyer Ekin Yeter Moray
11:20 Öcalan must be released if there is to be real peace
10:06 Öcalan: Democratic society, peace and integration are three key concepts of process
09:39 Programme for World Peace Day in Êlih announced
09:35 DEM Party’s Çetin Yıldız calls for participation in Kadıköy peace rally
09:34 Human rights activist calls for dialogue with Abdullah Öcalan and legal reforms
09:32 Documentary “Bîra Sûrê” sheds light on destroyed memory of Sur
09:31 New bore being drilled in Basa: Nature destruction to deepen
28/08/2025
16:36 SOHR: Transitional government executed 95 Druze
16:09 Rojava can be a peace project for the Middle East says Salih Muslim
16:00 Reaction to attempt to demolish the gravestone of Önkol siblings
15:44 Letter from 107 international organisations to the UN on Afghanistan
15:36 TJK-E calls for global outcry against executions in Iran
14:00 ‘Right to hope" must be implemented says former Speaker of Parliament Arınç
12:27 Former Speakers of Parliament at the Commission meeting
10:25 DEM Party delegation set off for İmralı to meet Öcalan
09:16 23 suspicious deaths and 3 femicides in 8 months: There is no perpetrator
09:15 Blocking Kurdish language violates the spirit of peace, says Peace Mother
09:13 Expectations from the Commission in Amed and Wan
09:12 Release of prisoner delayed for 3 months for not comment on 'process'
27/08/2025
16:45 Demands from TBB President to Commission
15:32 Legal framework to be discussed for the Commission says Parliament Speaker
13:54 Kurdish Women's National Union: Death sentences must be cancelled
13:22 ‘Öcalan should be heard by parliament commission’
10:57 Call to women for September 1: Let’s gather at the Kadıköy rally
09:53 She lost two children in conflict: We want our language and identity
09:39 Ministry's response to 'condolence ban': The family left of their own accord!
09:27 'The commission is working, but isolation continues'
26/08/2025
16:41 Attempt to demolish grave by military in Licê
16:27 Conditions of Öcalan must be improved says DEM Party Spokesperson
16:16 179 people executed in a month
14:34 Woman activist sentenced to one year in Iran
13:58 Öcalan must be heard as the primary party to the process says DEM Party MP
11:59 Transfer of prisoner refusing to go to hospital in slippers cancelled
10:26 İmralı Delegation to go to İmralı on Thursday to meet Öcalan
10:09 Mandela's lawyer: Öcalan's statements provide hope for peace and justice for all
09:46 246 journalists killed in Gaza since 7 October
25/08/2025
16:26 Schedule of 6th and 7th meetings of the Commission announced
13:53 DEM Party İmralı Delegation to go to İmralı this week
09:34 ‘Organizing struggle for equal and free life crucial in upcoming period’
09:33 Zeki Bayhan’s letter on isolation translated into three languages
09:32 Free dialogue conditions needed for Abdullah Öcalan, says Red Party Secretary
09:31 Prisoners face book bans and restrictions on activities due to alleged staff shortages
09:30 Xwebûn out with headline 'Language is the redline'
24/08/2025
17:01 New constitution call to women: Let's make our word common