Ocak and Karakoç commemorated during Week of the Disappeared

img
ISTANBUL – The Saturday Mothers and human rights defenders commemorated Rıdvan Karakoç and Hasan Ocak, who were killed under custody, by their graves during the International Week of Struggle Against Enforced Disappearances. The vigil emphasized: “This state must be held accountable, and one day, it will be.”
 
As part of the 17–31 May International Week of Struggle Against Enforced Disappearances, the Saturday Mothers and the Human Rights Association (İHD) visited the Gazi Cemetery in Istanbul’s Sultangazi district, where the graves of Rıdvan Karakoç and Hasan Ocak are located. Families of the disappeared were joined by representatives of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), the Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD), and ANYAKAY-DER.
 
A banner reading “Impunity breeds repetition – we demand justice” was displayed, alongside photographs of the disappeared and red carnations. Slogans such as “Rıdvan Karakoç is immortal,” “Hasan Ocak is immortal,” and “Şehîd namirin” echoed through the cemetery. The commemoration began at Karakoç’s grave.
 
‘OUR CASE FILE HAS BEEN BURIED IN STATE ARCHIVES FOR 30 YEARS’
 
Speaking at the grave, Hasan Karakoç, the brother of Rıdvan, emphasized the family’s three-decade-long struggle for truth and justice. “Rıdvan was murdered while fighting for a better future for the people of Kurdistan. Deep forces within the state detained him without question and subjected him to one of the most brutal torture methods in history. His body was nearly erased, like thousands of others. Our case has been sitting in the state’s archives for 30 years without a single step forward. Even if another 30 years pass, we will not give up this struggle,” he said.
 
‘THE STATE WILL HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT’
 
Human rights lawyer Eren Keskin, who was also a close friend of Rıdvan Karakoç, underlined the political identity of the disappeared: “Rıdvan was a revolutionary. He struggled for the freedom of the Kurdish people. This must not be forgotten. No matter how much the political climate may seem to change, we will not stop searching for our disappeared. The state will one day have to give an account for its crimes. As human rights defenders, we are committed to that accountability.”
 
Following the speeches, carnations were placed on Karakoç’s grave and prayers were offered.
 
‘WE FOUND HASAN IN THE CEMETERY OF THE NAMELESS’
 
The group then visited the grave of Hasan Ocak. Photos of other victims of extrajudicial killings were placed around the grave. His brother, Ali Ocak, recalled: “Hasan was taken from us as he resisted the counter-guerrilla massacres during the Gazi Massacre. We found his body 58 days later in the cemetery of the nameless. In his name, we continue this struggle against those who perpetuate dirty wars.”
 
‘THEIR LEGACY IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY’
 
DEM Party MP Kezban Konukçu stated: “Those we lost knew the risks they faced in their struggle. They knew that if democracy was to come to this country, it would come through resistance. Their legacy is now our responsibility. We must confront the state mentality that murdered them and build real democracy.”
 
‘GALATASARAY SQUARE MUST BE LIBERATED’
 
ESP Co-Chair Deputy Sezin Uçar noted the power of collective struggle: “Just as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have become a symbol in Latin America, the Saturday Mothers are a center of resistance here. Despite weekly detentions and police violence, human rights defenders have held their ground. Thanks to joint struggle, we’ve managed to push back the state’s enforced disappearance policy — but the fight for justice continues. Galatasaray Square must be fully liberated.”

View More Articles

09:50 Iran retaliates with drones
09:35 Director of Riha Chamber of Commerce: We support the process for our future
09:34 3 journalists detained
09:33 Degenhardt: Rojava is the most promising model
09:32 Young people to meet at “Democratic Society” conference
09:31 Mothers of murdered women: Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom must be ensured
08:56 Israeli attack on Iran
12/06/2025
15:26 ISIG: At least 770 children lost their lives in workplace homicides in 12 years
14:43 Statement from HPG about Turkish attacks
13:22 Rozerin’s father, murdered in Sur: Everyone must support the process
13:00 Street reacts to the Judiciary Package: Prisoners must be released
10:36 Father of Dilan Abay, who died in Kobanê: Peace requires sincerity
09:38 ‘Conditional’ support for the process in villages
09:23 Louise Regan: Freedom of Öcalan more essential than ever
11/06/2025
16:40 Preparations by DEM Party to visit İmralı: Representatives of other political parties may also meet with Öcalan
14:35 ‘Ill prisoners must be urgently released’
14:18 Village under military blockade: Even breathing is forbidden in Wergenima
10:13 Relative of prisoner: Administration and Observation Boards should be abolished for social peace
09:27 7th Ma Music Days starts
09:16 Amed citizens: Öcalan must be free for process to move forward
09:09 She lost two children in conflicts: We are with Öcalan
10/06/2025
16:53 IHRNGO: One thousand 20 people executed in Iran in 8 months
16:46 Constitutional Court rules seizure of letters a violation: No place in a democratic society
13:09 Release of 30-year prisoner prevented
12:51 Swiss BastA! Party demands meeting with Öcalan
09:55 She lost 4 members of her family during conflicts: There can be no peace just by talking
09:36 Art plays a big role in the socialisation of process says Lisa Calan
09:32 ‘Ideas of Öcalan pioneering in NADA’s congress decisions’
08:31 Letter from Abdullah Öcalan to Academy of Jineology
08/06/2025
18:53 Eid message from Öcalan: I extend my greetings to our people on the Feast of Sacrifice without sacrifice
18:47 Öcalan and prisoners receive visits on occasion of Eid al-Adha
06/06/2025
11:13 ‘Execution regulation harbours inequality’
10:43 Dr Miley: We need to be moving towards Öcalan's freedom
10:26 Letter from Alain Baiou to Öcalan: We are with you to the end
09:17 Vedat Aydin commemorated at his grave
05/06/2025
13:11 5 CHP mayors suspended from office
11:32 Relatives of prisoners subjected to strip searches: Our headscarves removed
11:22 DEM Party to organize one thousand 950 meeting for process
10:55 Prisoner for 31 years denied release for not declaring ‘neutrality’
10:33 Son of shepherd killed by sergeant: State must take a step
04/06/2025
15:33 Farewell to Serxwebûn: For a new beggining
15:21 Serxwebûn publishes perspective of Abdullah Öcalan for 12th Congress of PKK
11:20 First survey after PKK congress: 71.5 per cent support for decision
09:54 Data Analyst Stevenson: Artificial intelligence child sexual abuse material is a major concern
09:45 'Full participation of the political leadership is a prerequisite for the process to move forward'
03/06/2025
14:12 'Torture' report to the UN from Riha Bar Association
12:44 Socialists must be subjects of process says Juliana Gozen
09:24 IHRNGO: At Least 152 Executed in May
09:18 She lost her daughter in chemical attack: Sorrows forgotten with lasting peace
09:17 'New constitution should reflect the colour of women'