It has been 27 years since Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was released from Syria on 9 October 1998. After leaving Syria, Abdullah Öcalan was kidnapped on 15 February 1999 from Nairobi Airport in Kenya by a joint operation of international intelligence agencies. 

 

On 16 February, the then Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit appeared before the cameras and announced that Abdullah Öcalan had been brought to Turkey. Abdullah Öcalan has been held in İmralı F-Type High Security Closed Prison since the day he was brought to Turkey. 

 

Members of the Peace Mothers Initiative, who had to migrate to Istanbul after their villages were burnt down in the 1990s and who lost their relatives during the conflict, described the conspiracy process they witnessed closely.

 

Feleknaz Karabaş stated that they moved to Istanbul after their village was burnt down in 1994 in Hizan district of Bedlîs (Bitlis), and said, "We stayed at home for 3 days and 3 nights. We experienced great pain. There were protests on the streets of Istanbul. My mother-in-law did not eat for 3 days. We are still experiencing the pain of this today."  

 

She pointed out that the solution of the Kurdish issue and peace are being discussed today despite all that has happened. "We all need to reach out for this peace. Because peace is a great honour. Today, Önderlik has become the pioneer of peace. Those who say peace should also extend their hand and take a step. This resistance will not end with death and arrest. We gave 2-3 of our children, but we still say 'peace'," she said. 

 

'IT WAS A HEAVY DAY'

 

Sebiha Bozan shared that they followed the international conspiracy process through the news on Med TV. She stated that she went to People's Democracy Party (HADEP) on 9 October when the news was announced that there was no news about Abdullah Öcalan. 

 

Sebiha Bozan pointed out that everyone who heard the news came to the party and there was an atmosphere of mourning and said: "We learnt that the Leader was handed over to Turkey. We knew that Turkey did not have that much power. We understood that he was handed over by an international conspiracy. I didn't even want to open the balcony and see people. Some people were saying, 'Your leader was captured, everything is over. It was a very heavy day."

 

She said: "During the court process, Leader wanted peace and equal life. He was calling for a 'Democratic Republic'. If they had kept silent then they would have killed him. We mothers wear black dresses and fast on that black day every year."

 

Drawing attention to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, Sebiha Bozan concluded: "Bahçeli said 'the right to hope'. The 'right to hope' is a right. However, Erdoğan is still taking weak steps. We call out to the President; no one should be afraid of peace. Let Kurds and Turks live equally and freely. No one will be harmed by this. I hope the state will take steps as soon as possible. There is also a commission established in the Parliament. If the leadership does not come and meet with the commissions in the Parliament, this issue cannot be resolved. They should not prolong this process.”

 

'WE WILL SEE PEACE AND LEADER'

 

Fatma Yılmaz stated that they learnt about the events on television and were very surprised. She pointed out that 9 October was a "black day" for them and said that they wore black clothes and fasted for this reason. 

 

She added: "We are behind our Leader wherever we are. A family member of ours was imprisoned for 9 years, an uncle of mine was martyred. We are behind this struggle and our leader. A new process has also started. Our MPs went and saw the leadership and brought a good answer and message from him. God willing, we will see peace and the leader.” 

 

'WE THOUGHT LIFE WAS OVER'

 

Güler Buğday said that they were very upset and wondering what would happen. She added: “People burnt their bodies in many places. We thought life was over. We survived that black day with the resistance of the Leader. He became a pioneer in those isolation conditions and circumstances. He continues to insist on peace, humanity and equality. We trust him. The Kurds did not exist, but thanks to him and the great price paid, the world now recognises the Kurds. We will be behind the leader until the end."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu