NEWS CENTER – Citizens living in Amed and Wan are urging the newly established parliamentary commission to swiftly implement legal reforms. Their primary demands include the release of Abdullah Öcalan and education in the mother tongue.

 

The Commission on National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy, formed in the Parliament, has begun hearing from legal experts following testimonies from relatives of those who lost their lives during the conflict. The commission is holding its seventh meeting today to continue its work.

 

Sezai Temelli, Deputy Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) parliamentary group, emphasized in a meeting on August 25 that while listening to delegations is important, the commission’s main task is to draft legal reforms needed for this period. Temelli also stressed the necessity of meeting with Abdullah Öcalan.

 

According to citizens in Amed (Diyarbakır) and Wan (Van), progress depends on concrete steps from the state or government. Mustafa Yakan from Amed expressed skepticism about the commission due to lack of action and insisted, "The priority should be the freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and other political prisoners. Only then will I believe."

 

Ipek Sütçü Subaşı voiced hope that the process would bring relief if it advances positively and urged the commission to listen to all voices and work toward solutions without political exploitation.

 

Mahmut Aydar criticized the lack of transparency in negotiations and stressed that the commission must take tangible steps to foster trust in the peace process. Ercan Gül highlighted the need for representatives from public assemblies in the commission to make the process more effective.

 

Mehmet Aslan underscored the importance of meeting Kurdish demands, especially education in the mother tongue. Fırat Milan called for the release of political prisoners like Selahattin Demirtaş as a precondition for meaningful dialogue.

 

'MOTHERS SHOULD NOT CRY ANYMORE'

 

Safiye Çevik emphasized a desire for peace and an end to violence, saying, "No guerrilla, no police should die. Mothers should not cry anymore." Sezgin Duman affirmed Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood and the right to education in Kurdish.

 

In Wan, Murat Bayad voiced strong expectations for peace and criticized the government’s failure to make concrete moves, while Abdullah Atilla pointed out ongoing governance issues and called for transparency and unity.

 

Sezer Rüstemoğlu noted that although disarmament is positive, further steps like releasing political prisoners and prioritizing mother tongue education are necessary for lasting peace.

 

Muhammed Esat Üstün criticized the government for breaking promises and highlighted ongoing security issues, including frequent checks and mistreatment by security forces.

 

Ihsan Duran called for an end to deaths, honoring the 40-year struggle and Abdullah Öcalan’s call to disarm, hoping for democracy and peace to resolve longstanding issues.

 

Beritan Kaya expressed faith in Öcalan’s peace initiative and called for an end to oppression and racism against Kurds.

 

Finally, Gülten Orhan stressed that animosities between peoples must end and highlighted the important role of women in achieving peace.