Peace Mothers, who watched the freedom fighters’ weapon-burning ceremony with both joy and tears, said, “We have fought hard for peace. Today we see that our prayers have been answered. Everything is for the sake of future generations living in peace.”
Following a call from Abdullah Öcalan to lay down its arms, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) held a disarmament ceremony in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) on July 11.
Besê Hozat, co-chair of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council, led the group of 15 male and 15 female guerrillas, who burned their weapons and belts.
A statement by the Group for Peace and Democratic Society said: “In order to ensure the practical success of the “Peace and Democratic Society” process, to wage our struggle with methods of legal and democratic politics, we voluntarily destroy our weapons as a step of goodwill and determination.”
The Kurdish people, who watched the ceremony along with millions on their screens, watched the videos and photos with intense emotions. The Peace Mothers, who gathered in many cities of Kurdistan to watch the ceremony in institutions, experienced both great excitement and bittersweet emotions. While some prayed, others watched the historic step taken for the peace struggle with tears of joy, commenting on the moment with the following words: “Our prayers have been answered. Now it is the state’s turn; the next step must be taken by the state. In this country, it should no longer be tears but peace that prevails.”
Peace Mothers in Van, who also watched the ceremony with great excitement, shared their feelings with ANF.
‘An example of peace and honor to the entire world’
Peace Mother Gülistan Kaya said, “I am both very sad and very happy. We have suffered greatly, and we don’t want others to suffer. This was a big step. The state must now take this issue seriously and take steps. We don’t want bloodshed. May everything be for peace and beauty. Today, weapons were burned so that no more blood would be shed. This image caused us great sadness, but we never gave up our demands and longing for peace. Kurdish villages were burned, and people were oppressed, but we still put our hands on our hearts and demand ‘peace.’ How much longer will this war and bloodshed continue? Our only demand is for peace and equality to prevail. These images will serve as an example of peace and honor to the entire world. The people of the world have once again witnessed the struggle and just demands of the Kurds.”
‘Everything for future generations’
“We dedicate this day to all people of conscience and to women,” said Peace Mother Hanife Kaçak, expressing her feelings: “It is a very honorable day for us. We have struggled for years with the hope of seeing peace. The struggle began with six people and continues today. Millions have once again raised their voices for peace today. Setting everything else aside, we saw our leader. The scenes we witnessed over the past two days are very important and proud moments for this people. We have struggled for these days, but we didn’t think we would really see them. However, with the hope and demand for peace, things that people couldn’t believe have indeed happened. We witnessed war and hardship, but we don’t want the next generation to experience these things.
Everything done today has been done for future generations, for Kurdish children to live a better, freer, and more equal life. Weapons were also taken up for this purpose, but today the whole world has recognized the Kurdish people and heard their demands. We dedicate this hope for peace to Sırrı Süreyya and the people. May all peoples join hands and support this process. There was no end to this war in sight, so now is the time for peace and to sit at the table. I congratulate the young people who have laid down their weapons and send them my greetings. Whatever we do, we do it for peace, and we will continue in the same way. We have prayed for the building of this peace. As our prayers are answered one by one, we will do everything in our power.”
‘We only want peace’
Another Peace Mother, Medine Kıyak, said: “We mothers have suffered greatly, our hearts are broken. We only want peace. After the messages in the past week, these images have brought us all some relief. After this step, Erdoğan should listen to his conscience and not remain silent about this peace. Seeing these images, we have forgotten everything. These images are very special and sacred to us. Everyone should listen to their conscience and support this peace. Not only Kurdish mothers, but also mothers of soldiers should demand peace and take to the streets. After seeing the weapons laid down, our demand for peace has grown stronger once again. These images have once again brought to light this people’s dignified demand for peace, which has been expressed for years. We have experienced this, but those who come after us should not have to. This time, the process should not be wasted; let peace be built and let us live in peace on this land. Stopping the war is in everyone’s hands; everyone should put their hand on their heart and support this process. Today, we once again prayed for peace and opened our hands. We shed tears and we rejoiced. Now, peace must be realized through education in the mother tongue, equality, and the making of a constitution.”
