The women submitted their petitions to the relevant office at the courthouse for forwarding to the ministry. Prior to the application, a statement was made in front of the courthouse. Many women participated in the statement, including Gülderen Varlı, Wan MP from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.

 

CALL TO WOMEN 

 

Hatice Bağcı, Co-Chair of the Van Branch of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), emphasized that the talks with Abdullah Öcalan should evolve into a strong dialogue process.

 

“Because Mr. Öcalan’s role in strengthening the societal foundation of peace in Turkey is both historical and decisive. We demand the reinforcement of dialogue channels, the normalization of discussions on peace, and the reconstruction of a collective will for societal resolution,” she said.

 

Hatice Bağcı stressed, “Women’s voice, demands, and organized power regarding peace must be recognized as a legitimate actor.” 

 

She also called on all women’s organizations, stating: “It is time to make the historical legacy, collective memory, and belief in peace of the women’s struggle more visible than ever. Raising the demand for peace and strengthening women’s solidarity for a societal solution is our shared responsibility. The voice rising today in front of the Van Courthouse is not only a local call, but a collective voice of all women and a message for the future. Embracing this call with full strength is the expression of our belief in peace as women. Peace begins with women, grows with women, and is won with women.”

 

The statement ended with the slogan “Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)”.