Following the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" made by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, a new process in the Kurdish question has opened the door. In response to the call, the PKK convened its 12th Congress and decided to end its activities. 

 

While these developments are regarded as a historic step in terms of democratisation and non-conflict, the process received support from many segments of society. One of the strongest voices came from families who lost their relatives during the conflict. Perişan Özlü, who lost her husband and then her children during the state's village burnings, announced her support for the process.

 

LOST HER HUSBAND AND 2 CHILDREN

 

Perişan Özlü migrated to Artemêt district of Wan after the Binevş hamlet of Bileh village in Colemêrg (Hakkari) was burnt down in 1994. Her husband suffered a stroke after being subjected to severe torture during the village raid and died shortly afterwards. Perişan Özlü also lost two of her children who joined the PKK during the clashes. Her son Ferman Özlü (Mazlûm Mamxurî), who joined the PKK in 1994, was killed in a clash in Colemêrg on 6 September 2010. His daughter Kader Özlü (Rûken Mamxurî) was killed in a clash in Botan on 17 June 2017.

 

Perişan Özlü, who said that her children joined the PKK as a result of the state's pressures, said: "My son Mazlum joined the PKK as a result of the tortures his father suffered. My daughter joined the PKK under the influence of her brother. One of my sons was arrested and imprisoned for 15 years. My children took their places in the mountains of free Kurdistan as a result of the heavy tortures inflicted on us by the state. My children did not accept injustice and persecution. We have never kept silent and bowed our heads in the face of oppression and injustice. I am always proud of the struggle of my children."

 

Perişan Özlü reminded that their village was burnt down because they did not accept the state's village guard system and that they moved to Wan and that his son Mazlum joined the PKK 20 days after they moved.

 

'WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF ABDULLAH ÖCALAN'

 

"There was constant pressure on us. The pain the state inflicted on me will never go away or be forgotten. But despite this, we are defending peace. I am shouting for peace despite all this pain. Mr Öcalan has never been in favour of war and bloodshed," she said and underlined that they support the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society". Perişan Özlü said that they are ready to do whatever is necessary in line with this call: "We stand by Mr Abdullah Öcalan. We are in favour of peace."

 

'LET THE WAR END'

 

Perişan Özlü stressed: "No more bloodshed. This land is enough for all of us. If peace is established, we would like to go back to our villages. Just because we refused to become village guards, we did not suffer any more. The budget allocated for the war will now be allocated to the economy of the people, the economic crisis will end. Villages would be rebuilt and agriculture and animal husbandry would develop. If the war ends, there will be unity and solidarity. Kurdish and Turkish people should support peace and protect the process. Although there is a process, there is still a state of war on their side. The mountains of Kurdistan are being bombed. They should hold the hand of peace extended by Mr Öcalan."

 

MA / Ozlem Yacan- Ruken Polat