AMED – Stating that the descendants of Şêx Seîd (Sheikh Said) did not give up their struggle and today the whole world is talking about Kurds and their struggle, DBP Co-chair Keskin Bayındır said. “We will build a ‘Peace and Democratic Society’ by protecting Mr Öcalan’s will for a solution.”

 

The 4th Ordinary Congress of the Association of Families Who Lost Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilisations (MEBYA-DER), was held in a wedding hall in the city with the slogan "Peace and Democratic Society". 

 

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Women's Assembly Spokesperson Halide Türkoğlu, co-mayors of municipalities, representatives of many institutions and non-governmental organisations and citizens attended the congress.

 

Speaking after the formation of the council, MEBYA-DER Co-chair Memhet Emin Kılıç stated that MEBYA-DER is an important part of the struggle and said: “It will continue its activities in a stronger way from now on for the growth of this struggle.”

Speaking afterwards, Kasım Fırat, Chair of Şêx Seîd Association and grandson of Şêx Seîd, said that Kurds commemorate their martyrs by being together today. "Our martyrs are our honour. We will continue the path they paved," he said.

 

EMPHASIS ON STRUGGLE

 

Kerem Canpolat, Co-Chair of the MED Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), said: "Our families have only one request from us; not to forget our values and to protect their struggle. In order for this century to be the Kurdish century, we need to strengthen our unity and struggle." 

 

Peace Mother Nezahet Teke said: "If we are talking about a process today, the state should take steps accordingly. This process cannot work by saying peace on the one hand and attack on the other. We call on Erdoğan and Bahçeli; take the hand extended by Mr Öcalan and do what is necessary. We are here as those who want peace. As mothers, we don't want any more suffering in this land."

 

'THE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT THE KURDS'

 

DBP Co-chair Keskin Bayındır stated that MEBYA-DER is a conscientious organisation and said: “We have 10-100 thousands of families in Kurdistan who have paid the price. That is why MEBYA-DER is the struggle power of the Kurdish people. We are in the 100th year of the massacre of Şêx Seîd. We bow with respect in front of all our pioneers and martyrs who have been massacred for a century. The centuries of the Kurdish people have passed through denial and massacres. From Şêx Seîd to Zilan Massacre, from Sason to Dêrsim, persecution was experienced in every square metre of Kurdistan. However, against this, we have a tradition of struggle that we can always be proud and honoured of. This struggle continues from the mountains of Kurdistan to the dungeons and this struggle has given birth to a process today.

 

This period will be a period of freedom and democracy. In 2023 they said, 'We will finish the Kurds'. 2023 was also the 100th year of the Republic.  The conspiracy process that started with the execution of Şêx Seîd continued for 100 years and they wanted to end it in 2023. However, the Kurds did not allow this. Their calculations were frustrated with historical resistance. Therefore, the success of this process depends on the struggle of the Kurdish people. And this will be under the leadership of Mr Öcalan. The struggle of the Kurds is talked about all over the world. The centuries-old struggle of the Kurds will end in victory. Today, Mr Öcalan offers a great opportunity with his will for a solution. The most important task here falls to our families and our people. Our families have made a great contribution to the struggle of the Kurdish people at great cost, and from now on it must be the responsibility of this people to carry the burden of this struggle and lead it to victory. We are obliged to shoulder this burden. We need to protect Mr Öcalan's will for a solution. We need to organise for this.

 

NATIONAL UNITY

 

Kurdish forces must come together under the roof of the national congress and protect the values of the Kurdish people. The enemies of the Kurdish people do not allow unity. The political and social struggle of the Kurdish people will gain a new momentum with the construction of national unity. That is why we must heed Mr Öcalan's call for national unity. This call is vital for the future of the Kurdish people. Kurds must unite against this conjuncture. National unity should be our main agenda. The Kurdish people should spend their energy and efforts for the realisation of the national congress. There will be many people who do not want this, but we must not let them pass, we must not give them an opportunity. For this reason, we must protect the solution process with all our strength. Our people, who have paid the price, will protect the will for a solution against the centuries-old denial. We have full faith in this. In the spirit of unity, we will build a 'Peace and Democratic Society' by embracing this process and Mr Öcalan's will for a solution."

 

CO-CHAIRS ELECTED

 

After the speeches, a cinevision show was made. After the reading of the financial and activity reports, Gurbet Seviktek Arı and Ramazan Dengiz were elected as the new co-chairs of MEBYA-DER.