The echoes of the weapons destruction ceremony held on 11 July in Şikefta Casenê (Jasene Cave), located in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Federal Kurdistan Region, in response to the call of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, continue to reverberate. 

 

Peace Mother Türkan Durç, who was among those who witnessed the historic ceremony organised by the "Peace and Democratic Society Group," shared her observations and assessment of the process.

 

'WE WERE BOTH SAD AND HAPPY'

 

Türkan Durç stated that they were warmly welcomed in the city of Zakho in the Federal Kurdistan Region, said that they went to the site of the ceremony the next day. Türkan Durç said: "When the guerrillas arrived at the site of the ceremony, a very warm atmosphere was created. When we saw them, it was like seeing our children. We wanted to hug them. Unfortunately, contact was prohibited. We couldn't hug them. We were very pleased when we read their statements. It was an extremely satisfying statement. We were saddened again when they threw their weapons into the fire. Tears flowed from our eyes. On the one hand, we were sad, but on the other hand, we were happy. Because we have known this state for 100 years. How could we trust it? Would our rights be handed over?" 

 

'WE MUST TRUST OURSELVES'

 

"The weapons that were destroyed were destroyed for the freedom of a people," said Türkan Durç. "Even if this war had lasted 100 years, one day these weapons would have been laid down. We were aware of this. We believe that the Kurds will maintain their unity in the coming process and embrace one another. For this reason, this process must be embraced. Turks and Kurds must live together as brothers and sisters on this land. Freedom is our right too. We have gone through many processes up to now. The people's faith has been broken. But the Kurdish people's faith should not be in the state, but in themselves. The Kurdish people must trust themselves. They must maintain their unity and walk together. They must trust Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. They must trust the guerrillas. They must fight for their rights and build a democratic society."

 

'THE STATE MUST ALSO TAKE STEPS'

 

Türkan Durç concluded: "The state must provide security. The state must take steps so that the people can maintain their faith. This time, we see that there are different observers involved in the process. We see that civil society organisations and international powers are observers. For this reason, we believe that this time the process will be successful. For this reason, Kurds should trust themselves and believe in the process. We believe that both Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. Bahçeli want to complete this process in a positive manner."

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal