WAN – Members of the Peace Mothers Assembly expressed frustration that while Kurds have taken significant steps toward peace, the state and government have not responded with equal determination, warning that “peace cannot be one-sided.”
Following Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society,” the PKK’s dissolution and disarmament decision, and the symbolic burning of weapons by the 30-member “Peace and Democratic Society Group,” mothers who lost children in the conflict or have children in the PKK said their hopes for a solution have been rekindled. However, they voiced concern that the state’s slow response risks undermining the process.
Hanife Koçak, a member of the Van Peace Mothers Assembly, said: “After Öcalan’s call, the PKK burned its weapons, a historic moment led by women. We believe in this process and support it. But for peace to succeed, the state must also act. There will be attempts to sabotage peace; what matters is that we do not fall into these traps. We have never supported death; we have always stood for peace.”
Kewê Işık emphasized that Kurds should not bear the burden of peace alone: “We trust in Öcalan and in our movement. But no step has come from the state, and that creates distrust. Öcalan never demanded personal freedom; he only asked for democratic peace. Everyone must now shoulder responsibility.”
The mothers urged for the creation of conditions for Öcalan to manage the peace process more effectively, the release of political prisoners, and recognition of Kurdish rights: “Our children were labeled terrorists, but they only fought for freedom,” Kewê Işık said. “In this women-led peace process, we hope for our rights to finally be recognized.”
Despite past suffering, the Peace Mothers reiterated their determination: “Even after all we endured, we will not stop calling for peace,” said Rukiye Arslan.