Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, together with the İmralı Delegation, made a "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" on 27 February. The PKK said in a statement that it would fulfil the requirements of the call. However, the military operations have not ended and the state/power has not yet taken any step towards the expectations of the society. Families of those who lost their lives during the conflict also expect concrete steps from the state/power wing in order for the process to move forward.

 

'WE TRUST ÖCALAN'

 

Mevlüde Azan, who lost her son Vedat (Hejar Botan) in an armed clash in 2016 and never heard from her son Ferhat after he joined the PKK, described Öcalan's call as "a new spirit of life". Mevlüde Azan stated that the state should take steps against the call. Mevlüde Azan said, "The initiated process has a very special place for us. We defended peace even when our children were martyred, our villages were burnt, we were forced to migrate, and we were arrested. We have suffered a lot. Now no results are achieved with war and deaths and everyone knows this. Even when we look at the history of the world, every war has always ended in peace."

 

Mevlüde Azan pointed out that although weeks have passed since Öcalan's call, no steps have been taken yet and said, "We trust Mr Öcalan. We are still sceptical about the state side. Because peace cannot be one-sided. The ill prisoners are the first step to be taken. The freedom of our prisoners and Mr Öcalan must be ensured. The issue is very serious and they need to take serious steps as soon as possible. The state is still carrying out the dirty policies of the 1990s."

 

'STEPS MUST BE TAKEN'

 

Mevlüde Azan stated that her children joined the PKK against the oppressive policies against Kurds and said, "We recognised ourselves after our children rebelled against oppression. We became conscious of Kurdishness through this struggle. My son Vedat, who lost his life, chose the truth when he was in the third grade of high school. He did not tolerate injustice and always defended his rights. Ferhat, on the other hand, was always arguing with his teachers and friends in the metropolises of Turkey where we migrated after the Wan (Van) earthquake. His conscience did not accept injustices. We do not know where he is now and what he is doing."

 

Mevlüde Azan said, "Let the promises made be kept. Both sides should not suffer the pain of a child. We gave our most precious ones. They should approach the process sincerely. Let the best peace be achieved between the two sides."