Reaction to attempt to demolish the gravestone of Önkol siblings

2025-08-28 16:00:39


	
	AMED - Reacting to the attempt to demolish the gravestones of Önkol siblings in Licê, MEBYA-DER Co-chair Gurbet Seviktek said: "The construction of social peace passes through respecting the values of the people."

	 

	The gravestones of YJA Star member Azize Önkol (Dicle Avaşin) and HPG member Rojhat Önkol (Laşer Çem) were demolished by the gendarmerie in Kêlesi hamlet of Çemê Elika (Birlik) rural neighbourhood in Licê district of Amed (Diyarbakır). ,

	 

	A statement was made by the Association of Assistance, Solidarity, Culture and Unity with the Families Who Lost Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilisations (MEBYA-DER) at the graves of Önkol siblings. Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Amed provincial and district organisations, citizens and Önkol family attended the statement. 

	 

	'WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE PERSECUTION'

	 

	Speaking at the statement, uncle Arif Önkol stated that the soldiers demanded the gravestone to be removed. He said that the soldiers told him that they came to the cemetery with the instruction of the Ministry of Interios: "They said 'either you remove it or we will remove it'. We removed the gravestone because we did not want them to remove it. We do not accept this persecution."

	 

	'DAMAGING THE PROCESS'

	 

	MEBYA- DER Co-Chair Gurbet Seviktek stated that the right to be buried is guaranteed under international law and said, "It is not possible to accept what happened here today. Attacking people's sacred graves is unconscionable. The construction of social peace passes through respecting the values of the people.  The state will respect our graves. Those who do this in the peace process harm the process. We will never accept this. This persecution of the families should be ended."

	 

	The statement ended with the slogan "Şehid Namirin (Martyrs won't die)".