AMED - The women who set out for the Gemlik March stated that the first step the state should take is ensuring Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom, saying, “His status should be secured as the chief negotiator of the process.”

 

Under the leadership of the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) and with the slogan “Time for women, time for freedom and meeting with a free leader,” a march will be held in the Gemlik district of Bursa. Women from many cities in Kurdistan gathered in Amed (Diyarbakır) yesterday and set out towards Gemlik.

 

Peace Mother Keve Işık emphasized that the reason for going to Gemlik is Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom. She said: “We will go from here to Gemlik for our Leader. Without our Leader being free, no people in the Middle East can be free. He should come out from behind four walls and engage in politics among the people. We see his immediate release as the most solid step to be taken in this process.”

 

Macide Varhal stated that they support the process for peace and equality, but added that equal steps have not been taken for over a year, which has caused distrust among the people. “The only reason we believe in the process is our leader Abdullah Öcalan,” she said. 

 

Drawing attention to the isolation in İmralı, Mervan Yıldız said: “There has been severe isolation for years. The ability of the peoples of the Middle East to live in peace depends on the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. As the chief negotiator of this process, his status must be granted.” Stating that they walked towards freedom with a thousand women as TJA, she emphasized that the first step that must be taken is the improvement of Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions. 

 

Rabia Argür pointed to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, saying that they will stand behind Abdullah Öcalan until the very end. Rabia Argür said, "We are actually going to the Gemlik March for our own rights. Having our leader free is also one of our most important rights. The state must immediately take a step and release Abdullah Öcalan."

 

Meryema Tura said: "This time, our march will be for both peace and the 'right to hope.' Today, we set out to gift a future that holds equality, peace, and democracy to tomorrow. We expect a step from the state that will release all prisoners, starting with Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom."

 

Zahide Kutlu stated that the march is very important for all peoples, especially the Kurdish people. Highlighting that the biggest gain in the ongoing process is that mothers' tears are not being shed, Zahide Kutlu said: “Necessary steps should be taken, and a real atmosphere of peace must be created. The most important step the state must take is the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.”