A religious memorial service was held for People’s Defense Force (HPG) members Welat and Þehriban Argýþ in Bismil(Diyarbakýr) on Friday. Speaking at the service, Diyarbakýr MP Leyla Zana said, “Women are the greatest force of a society. That is why the establishment is so afraid of women.”

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Co-Chair Gültan Kýþanak who visited the mourning tent for HPG member Þükran Ýmaç in Siirt said that the Kurds will not forget the 15 woman guerillas who lost their life in a gunfight in the mountains of Bitlis.

Giving her condolences to Argýþ family, Leyla Zana said “These young women could have been doctors, lawyers, mayors and deputies. But they fought for their identity above everything. They have chosen their life freely. They did not ask for too much. They only wanted an honourable life, like all the people in the world.”

BDP Co-Chair Gültan Kýþanak pointed out that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government impose policies of elimination to the Kurds, which force them to give up the struggle for their identity and honour. “However, they shall know that the Kurdish people will never give up their honour. The Kurds will never forget the suffering in Hizan and the 15 woman guerillas who gave their life for their people,” added Kýþanak during her visit to the mourning tent where ‘Martyrs do not die’ slogan often echoed.