The 26th anniversary of the international conspiracy, which PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan described as "the biggest conspiracy of the 21st century" and "the first steo towards intervention in the Middle East". The conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan started after he left Syria on 9 October 1998. The conspiracy process continued when Öcalan was brought to Turkey on 15 February 1999. After Öcalan was brought to Turkey, he was held in isolation in the Type F High Security Closed Prison on İmralı Island. Kurds refer to the day of the conspiracy against Öcalan as "Roja Reş (Black Day)". Citizens dress in black and fast every 15 February for this reason. 

 

Rewşan Döner (51), the  Peace Mother, is one of those who have been struggling against the conspiracy for 26 years. Rewşan Döner is from the Tetwan (Tatvan) district of Bedlis (Bitlis). She moved to Istanbul in the 1990s during the village burnings and has been living here for many years. 

 

RESISTANCE AGAINST THE CONSPIRACY

 

Rewşan Döner, who stated that she was in Istanbul at the time of the conspiracy and said, "On the morning of that day, we were listening to the television. I couldn't believe it. At that time, those whose villages had just been burnt down, in short, all Kurds were very passionate and angry. All Kurds took to the streets and squares and condemned the situation. We condemnd those who had a hand in this process and those who carried out the international conspiracy with Turkey."

 

Stressed that a great anger emerged during the conspiracy process Rewşan Döner said, "They deliberately wanted to execute the Leader (Abdullah Öcalan) on the anniversary of the date when Sheikh Said was executed. Devlet Bahçeli, who initiated the discussions on this new process, was also saying 'he must be execute'. However, the resistance and struggle of the Kurdish people abolished the execution. In this way, our Leader has come to this period."

 

Rewşan Döner emphasised that Kurds are committed to Abdullah Öcalan's ideas and philosophy, and cited the ‘You cannot darken our sun’ protests in prisons as an example of this.

 

FASTING EVERY 15TH OF FEBRUARY 

 

 

Pointing out that the conspiracy still wants to continue in different ways, Rewşan Döner said, "This conspiracy is still going on. In 2025, those who turn 15 February into ‘Roja Res’ will lose. We are hopeful this 15 February; it will be the year of equality, peace, freedom and democracy. We are very hopeful and excited for that day when the call of the leadership will be made. 15 February is a very heavy day. I myself fast on 15 February every year, but hopefully this year we will celebrate that day like a feast." Rewşan Döner emphasised that the Kurdish issue must be solved and Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom must be ensured. 

 

PROTESTED WITH HUNGER STRIKE

 

 

Sıdıka Erden is one of the mothers who went on hunger strike during the conspiracy. Sıdıka Erden, who lives in Şirnex (Şırnak), said, "In those days you could not find anyone on the streets and in the bazaar. Those who went out were aware of the situation. Those who did not could not go out because of sadness. When we went out, we wondered what kind of atmosphere there was. Every house went on hunger strike and put black cloths on the roof of their houses. We went on hunger strike in groups of 4."

 

Sıdıka Erden emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom must be ensured for a lasting peace in Turkey and said, "If his physical freedom is ensured, we will all be at peace. It will turn into a feast not only for us but for all the peoples of Turkey. Right now, all eyes and ears of Turkey are on İmralı and waiting with excitement. I hope that we will reach brotherhood. We can meet and live together on the basis of a free life with our language and identity."

 

Sıdıka Erden added, "This year will be the beginning of freedom and we will experience the freedom we hope for. Mr Abdullah Öcalan will also regain his physical freedom. That is to say, we have faith that peace will be achieved this year. We want peace and freedom. As we always say, we only want peace. We want to be reunited with Mr Abdullah Öcalan and our children as soon as possible. We want this suffering to end. They are all our children."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu