Following the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" made by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, the door to a new process was opened. The PKK convened its 12th Congress upon the call and decided to end its work under the PKK name. 

 

Öcalan's call and the PKK's decision are of great importance for the solution of the Kurdish issue and democratisation. A wide section of the society also supports the process. The families of those who lost their relatives during the conflict are among those who support the process.

 

The family of Yekta Büşra Boz, one of the 17 HPG/YJA Star members who lost their lives in Turkey's chemical weapons attack in 2022, is also expecting a lasting solution and peace.

 

Yekta Büşra Boz's family lives in Melekent village of Kop (Bulanık) district of Mûş (Muş). The family is one of the families who have suffered from the oppressive policies since the 1990s. Their daughter Yekta Büşra Boz joined the PKK in 2013 and was killed in a chemical weapons attack in 2022. Another sister, Necmiye Boz, was arrested in 2016 for "membership in an illegal organisation" and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Necmiye Boz is still being held in Elazığ Women's Closed Prison.

 

Mother Müslime Boz stated that their acquaintance with the Kurdish freedom struggle dates back to the 1980s. Müslime Boz said, "After my uncle's son Bayram Selvi joined the PKK, people started to join the PKK in Kop. Later, Abdullah Selvi and my sister's daughter Beritan Axîn joined the struggle. Beritan Axîn lost her life in Rojava." Müslime Boz stated that they were only able to reach the body of Beritan Axîn, one of the 3 PKK members from the family who lost their lives.

 

Pointing out that her daughter lost her life in a chemical weapon attack, Müslime Boz said, "Using chemical weapons is a crime. However, we continue to call for peace, freedom and brotherhood with our wounded hearts. At this point, Leader Apo's call is a sacred call. It is a call for brotherhood and peace. All steps have been taken by the Kurdish people, but no steps have been taken by the state. Sick prisoners are still in prison and people are in exile."

 

'NO PEACE WITHOUT ÖCALAN'

 

Emphasising the need for a lasting peace, "They bombed and burnt our villages. Not enough, they tried to destroy us with unsolved murders. Lastly they used chemical weapons. But every time we said 'There can be no peace without Mr Öcalan'. We still say this. There can be no peace without Mr Öcalan. It is only possible to forget the heavy sufferings we have experienced with a lasting peace," she said. 

 

Emphasising that the demands of the Kurds must be met, Müslime Boz stressed: "Just as the PKK has taken a step, now the state must also take a step. If a step is not taken, we cannot believe in the sincerity of this process. Because journalists, young people and women are still being arrested. We are now waiting for a step from the state. We want the Kurds to be given status. We want to see peace before it is too late. The construction of peace, brotherhood and freedom starts from İmralı."

 

MA / Ruken Polat - Ozlem Yacan