ÊLİH – 25 thousand people who participated in 139 public meetings held in Êlih (Batman) were informed about the “Peace and Democratic Society Process”. 

 

People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party continues to hold “Democratic Society Mettings” to inform the public about developments related to the resolution of the Kurdish issue and to gather the public’s views and suggestions. There is great interest in the public meetings taking place in Kurdistan and Turkey. 

 

Since 1 July, 139 meetings have been held in Êlih, and approximately 25 thousand people have been informed about the process. 

 

Zeynep Oduncu Kutevi, a city representative who participated in the public meetings, referred to the historic proces: “We have entered a process in which the guns will fall silent and democratic life will be woven. The call made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan is a historic opportuity for the peoples of Kurdistan, Turkey and the Middle East.”

 

Emphasising that they plan to hold 250 public meetings in the city, Zeynep Oduncu Kutevi added that the people have embraced the process in the meetings held so far, but that they have concerns. Explaining that the main reason for these concerns stems from past experiences, Zeynep Oduncu Kutevi said: "Because we are talking about a people who have experienced assimilation, massacres, marginalisation, and prisons throughout history. At the meetings, concerns such as ‘Can we trust the state? Could the peace table be overturned again? Will the state do its part in this process?’ come to the fore. However, the Kurdish people have complete trust in Mr Abdullah Ocalan. There is great hope in the PKK's decision to lay down its arms at the call of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan." 

 

Evin Ozer, who participated in the public meetings, said: "We believe that this process will be good for all peoples. However, more concrete steps must be taken. Today's disarmament ceremony is a guarantee given in response to the call of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. We have gone through very difficult times, experienced many things, and paid a heavy price. I hope that the public meetings that have been initiated will contribute to a peaceful environment. We want our eyes to shed tears of joy, not sorrow."

 

Citizen Rabia Cetinkaya said she supports the process and will do everything in her power for peace efforts: “We don't want our children to die, we don't want mothers to cry. We want the release of political and ill prisoners in prisons.”