The echoes of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" shared with the public on 27 February continue. No concrete step has been taken by the government and the state regarding the call, which is embraced by all segments of society. 

 

Relatives of prisoners embraced the call of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and demanded the state to take concrete steps for the peace process to move forward.

 

Tevfik Budak, father of Faik Budak, who was arrested in Mersin in 2011 and sentenced to 58 years and aggravated life imprisonment, stated that they are hopeful about the process, but reminded that the state has not taken any concrete steps yet. Stating that all political prisoners must be released, Budak said that priority should be given to seriously ill and elderly prisoners. Drawing attention to Abdullah Öcalan's call, Budak said, "Legal arrangements need to be made in order for peace to become permanent. It is especially important that political parties embrace this process. The voice of peace needs to be raised.’ 

 

Raziye Eksik, the mother of Bayram Eksik, who was sentenced to 36 years and aggravated life imprisonment after being arrested in Mersin in 2012 on charges of "terrorist organisation membership" called for peace and said, "My son has been in prison for 15 years. Let our leader and our children be freed. The hearts of many mothers like me are burning. I hope peace will come and everyone will bereleased. Erdogan and Bahceli both talk about peace, we already want peace."

 

Bayram Eksik's niece Zilan Eksik drew attention to the injustice and inequality in the country and said, "Kurds have always been oppressed. We want our rights to be given. My uncle was an innocent person, but he has been in prison for years. I haven't seen him for three years. We want peace. For this, a real solution is now needed." 

 

Fadıl Tekin, the father of 27-year-old Sami Tekin, who was arrested in Wan (Van) in 2022 and sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, said, "No matter who it is, I don't mean for our own martyrs either; enough is enough, we want peace. I think like this as a prisoner's relative, and everyone should think like this too. We don't want a single tear to fall from anyone's eyes. I call everyone; let there be peace, let there be brotherhood. Let's not suffer, let's live together. Let's eat dry bread if necessary, but as long as there is peace."

 

Gülten Benzer, the sister-in-law of 35-year-old Süleyman Benzer, who was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, stated that they are behind Abdullah Öcalan's call on 27 February and said: "In order for the process to move forward, steps should be taken towards prisons first. We are behind every word of Mr Abdullah Öcalan and we support him to the end. The process cannot move forward without Mr Öcalan's freedom. As the Kurdish people, we demand the return of our natural rights that have been usurped for years. We are hopeful about the talks and want them to continue."

 

MA / Abdulkadir Ayten