ŞIRNAK - In the 10 years since the Roboski massacre, the only testament of those who lost their lives was that their perpetrators to be held to account. It hasn't happen so far.

 

34 people, 19 of whom were minors were killed by the Turkish warplanes who shelled a little village called Roboski at the Uludere district of Şırnak, border neighbors of Federated Kurdistan Region. The justice that everyone is longing for has not been served in the past 10 years after the massacre. AKP government first claimed that it was an accident, then tried to cover it up with material compensation, did not prosecute those who were responsible for the massacre. 

 

Although the perpetrators were left unpunished by the judiciary, the Roboski families did not give up their demand for justice. Those who did not believe in justice, on the other hand, took the road to the mountains.

 

THOSE WHO DIED BEFORE JUSTICE WAS SERVED

 

Many people who came together around a single demand for the perpetrators of their dismembered children to be tried, died without justice being served. Vedat Encü's 43-year-old aunt, Miran Encü, who had a heart attack during the commemoration of those who died in the massacre, passed away.

 

THE PERPETRATORS WERE NEVER FOUND

 

Salih Uysal, the father of 18-year-old Özcan Uysal, who lost his life in the massacre, also died of a heart attack. Mother Türkan Uysal reminded that her son has been asking when will the perpetrators will be held to account, said: "My husband never got over this. And he finally had a heart attack. He lost his life before the perpetrators were found."

 

Recalling that her son Özcan was killed 3 days ahead of his birthday, Uysal said: "He was looking forward to his birthday. He was there, smuggling tea and sugar to be able to celebrate his birthday. I brought my gift to him to his headstone."

 

THE TESTAMENT OF KADRİYE

 

Kadriye Encü, mother of Hamza Encu lost her life on October 23. She was the voice of those who demanded justice for the people lost at the Roboski Massacre. Now continuing her struggle, her daughter Taybet Encü said: "My mother always told us not to give up on our cause and hold those responsible to account. She left her struggle as a legacy to me. She used to say, 'If I die, be brave and deputize for me. Take over my struggle'. She died before the killers of my brother were found. She wanted me to take over. Can I be as brave as my mother? I don't know.. But I will never give up on our cause."

 

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut