With the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, which envisages a solution to the Kurdish issue through democratic and peaceful methods, and the decisions of the PKK's 12th Congress in this context, a progress has been made in the process. 

 

On the other hand, the ruling party has not taken any solution-oriented steps and the continuation of military operations causes distrust in the society and civil society organisations.

 

Representatives of civil society organisations and political parties in Mersin made evaluations on the process.

 

Human Rights Association (IHD) Çukurova Regional Representative Hakkı Demir stated that although the Kurdish side has taken steps, the state has delayed in taking concrete steps.

 

Stating that the delay not only slows down the process but also provides a basis for provocations, Demir emphasised that political prisoners, especially ill prisoners, should be released and stressed that the peoples in Turkey should act together for the process.

 

"I think political parties should do their part in this matter. Mothers and families say 'We don't want any more bloodshed'. Therefore, the state needs to be sincere," he said. 

 

'WE ARE READY TO FIGHT FOR PEACE

 

Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Akdeniz District Co-Chair Nizar Esen stated that people, especially the Kurdish people, need peace and emphasised that people trust Abdullah Öcalan. Referring to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Esen emphasised that the government should take concrete steps to prevent further conflicts.

 

He made the following call: "We make an open call from here; we are also behind this process. We are in favour of the struggle for a democratic society and the establishment of a ground for peace. We are also ready to fight for peace."

 

'IF PEACE DOES NOT COME, ALL KINDS OF VIOLENCE TO INCREASE'

 

Emine Eren, spokesperson of Mersin Peace Mothers Assembly, emphasised that as mothers they find the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan valuable and that peace cannot be one-sided. Calling on the state for a lasting solution, Emine Eren stated that the process should be embraced and concrete steps should be taken.

 

Emine Eren said: "Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Circassians; we can all live in peace in this land. As long as the deaths stop. We don't want any mother to have to take the funeral of her child anymore. If peace does not come to this country, not only conflicts but also femicides and all kinds of violence will increase. We want peace not only in this country but in the whole world."

 

'ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE FOR ILL PRISONERS'

 

Bahattin Bektaş, co-chair of Mersin Association for Assistance and Solidarity with the Disappeared (MEYADER), reminded that no regulation has been made regarding the situation of ill prisoners. Emphasising that this issue is not only a legal issue but also a social sensitivity, Bahattin Bektaş stated that they will follow the process.

 

"Ill prisoners should not be made a subject of bargaining. In humanitarian terms, ill prisoners must be released unconditionally. The conditions in prisons are really aggravated. It is a moral and conscientious problem for them to be in prison under these conditions. The state needs to make arrangements for this."

 

MA / Abdulkadir Ayten