VAN - Announcing the establishment of the Van Peace Mothers Council, the Peace Mothers stated that they would organize peace against war and called for an end the isolation on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

The denial and destruction policies continue towards the Kurds for centuries in Turkey. These policies continued to deepen during the 19-year rule of the AKP. Kurdish women resisted by struggling for a ‘’solution’’ against the attacks and massacres carried out as part of these policies of denial and destruction. Especially the Peace Mothers did not stop raising their struggle despite police violence, pressure, detentions and arrests. Mothers in Van, who could not come together for about two years due to the pandemic, met at an event on November 4. At the meeting, the mothers also announced the establishment of the Van Peace Mothers Council, which has been on their agenda for a long time.

 

‘Let’s join hands to say stop the war’

 

Saying that they will organize peace against war, Zekiye Kaya, member of the Peace Mothers Council, noted that they felt the war deeply all over the country. Emphasizing that they came together to say ‘’stop’’ to the war, Zekiye continued, ‘’We came to shield ourselves against this war from all  quarters. We do not want neither soldier nor guerilla to die. Here is my call; Let’s join hands with both soldiers and guerrilla mothers, let’s say ‘stop’ to this war’’.

 

‘This war must stop now’

 

Mahbut Kurt, who reacted to the planned attacks against Kurdish gains in Northern and Eastern Syria with the decision of the mandate, said, ‘’Nothing will be achieved with war and conflict. This war must stop now. But the AKP is in a preparation for war even in cross border. We do not accept this. Everyone needs to stand against this war’’.

 

‘Let the prisons’ doors open!’

 

Stating that they are excited and happy to come together as a council, Asya Özlü stated that the language and culture of the Kurdish people have been denied for years. Asya continued, ‘’How long will you continue with oppression and persecution? We want the isolation on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to be lifted. Let the prison doors open. How long will you ignore us with war and conflict? It’s enough. Let our language and identity be free. We want our rights’’.

 

Gurci Şakar, one of the Peace Mothers, also called for the release of the prisoners and for all mothers in Van to join their council.