Although 40 days have passed since Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's historic call, no steps have been taken by the government and the state. The Association for Assistance and Solidarity with the Families of the Disappeared in the Cradle of Civilisations (MEBYA-DER) and Peace Mothers Mêrdîn (Mardin) Assembly made a statement regarding the call. 

 

In the statement organised by MEBYA-DER in Qoser (Kızıltepe) district, slogans such as "Em şer naxwazin, aşitî xwaz in (We do not war, we want peace)" and "No to war, peace now" were frequently chanted.

 

'WE WANT TO LIVE FREE TOGETHER'

 

Peace Mother Tenzile Ağatay stated that they support Öcalan's call and said, "We want to address the state; our Leader has extended the hand of peace. We expect the state to extend the hand of peace. We want the isolation on the Leader to be lifted and the prisoners to be released. We do not want more deaths to happen. We want the tears of the mothers to stop now."

 

Peace Mother Rabia Kurtay stated that the talks should be concluded and steps should be taken as soon as possible and said, "Everyone should put their hands on their conscience and this process should be completed in an honourable way. We want to live together in free days."

 

'IT MUST BE PUT INTO PRACTICE'

 

MEBYA-DER Co-chair Gurbet Tekin said that despite Öcalan's call, they have not yet seen a step from the AKP and the state."It is unacceptable to call for peace on one side and to continue the war on the other. A ceasefire was declared first hand by the PKK with the call. However, the Turkish state continues its attacks and massacres every day. For 50 years, mothers have been suffering. No other mothers should experience this pain. We have hope and we believe. It cannot be done only by talking. We expect it to be put into practice. We believe in Mr Öcalan. He has taken a positive step. This is a great opportunity for the Middle East, for Kurds, for everyone. We will organise with a free leadership and democratic society. We will always be on the streets and in the fields," she said. 

 

Older brother of Ferhat Kurtay, who set himself on fire against the torture in Diyarbakır Prison on 8 May 1982, and MEBYA-DER member Mehmet Ferit Kurtay pointed out that the longing for peace of the peoples in the Middle East, especially Kurdish and Turkish peoples, has reached a point where it cannot be postponed and said, "Peace is neither a concession to one side nor a sign of weakness. Peace is the future of both the Kurdish people and the Turkish people. In order not to waste this historical opportunity, it is imperative that all segments of society do their part and support dialogue and negotiation."