The public meetings initiated by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) after Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society", which was shared with public on 27 February, continue. 

 

Citizens attending the public meeting in Peyas (Kayapınar) district of Amed (Diyarbakır) said that Abdullah Öcalan has been struggling for the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue for years and said, "Now it is the turn of politicians and the government."

 

Expressing that they want an hones and honourable peace, Esma Goctur said, "We do not want to lose our children anymore. Leader Öcalan has taken a step for peace, they must also take a step. Abdullah Öcalan must be free for peace to be possible."

 

Zubeyir Bestas said that pro-government media are provoking the process and added that there must be peace without discrimination. Bestas said, "The state must free the prisoners in prisons. The system has always labelled Kurds as 'terrorists' until today. Politics in Turkey is done through the blood of people. Whoever has a part to play in this process must fulfil it. It is the state's turn to take a step."

 

Stressing that the Kurdish people insist on peace despite the pain, persecution and disappearances they have suffered, Muhammed Yasar said, "We do not want anyone to die anymore even though ww have buried our lives. At the Dolmabahçe palace, the Leader had asked for an honourable peace. This is not his first peace demand. He asked for it many times. In the Dolmabahçe agreement, the Leader had again said that the solution to the Kurdish issue was through democratic means. He has now brought it to such a stage. He did his best. Women, children and youth have been affected by the war until today. People from different cultures live in Mesopotamia. We want to live an honourable life with everyone and without discrimination. Both our leadership and we do not want war. People have economic problems. If the money spent on war, tanks and cannons had gone into the pockets of the people, there would be no economic problems. If this war ends, economic problems will also be solved."

 

Emphasising that Abdullah Öcalan must be freed for peace, Emine Al said: "We do not accept the information sent through letters. They must free all our prisoners, especially ill prisoners. Until today Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) has always asked for peace. Now Turkey should also take a step. Everyone must stand behind Apo and defend peace."

 

MA / Heval Önkol