The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party organized a march in Amed (Diyarbakır) as part of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. The march began in front of Diyarbakır Prison No. 5 in Rezan (Bağlar) and drew thousands of participants, including DEM Party and DBP representatives.

 

Demonstrators carried banners reading “Now is the time to meet the Free Leader” and “Freedom now, peace now,” while chanting slogans including “Bijî Serok Apo (Long live Leader Apo),” “Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom),” and “Long live peace.” Peace Mothers led the march, which ended in front of AZC Plaza in the Ofis district.

 

Speaking there, Tülay Hatimoğulları said people across Turkey were marching for peace. “From Amed to Ankara, İstanbul and Wan, people are marching with the call ‘Take a Step for Peace,’” she said.

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that Abdullah Öcalan’s “Peace and Democratic Society Call” represented a historic opportunity for Turkey and warned against efforts to block the process.

 

She said: “We know there are circles that want war and conflict to continue. No one should waste this process or play a role in blocking it.”

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları listed the DEM Party’s demands for advancing the peace process. She said: “The Kurdish issue cannot be resolved by confining it within a ‘terrorism’ framework. The process must gain a legal and constitutional basis.”

 

She called for an urgent framework law, the implementation of ECHR rulings, an end to trustee appointments to municipalities and the return of elected officials to office.

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları also stressed that Abdullah Öcalan’s status and conditions must change: “The status of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, as the main actor, must be defined, and conditions must be created for him to live and work freely."

 

Calling peace essential for democracy and resolving Turkey’s economic crisis, Tülay Hatimoğulları concluded: “Workers, women, youth and rights defenders all want peace. Let us take the strongest steps together for peace.”