MEBYA-DER (Solidarity, Unity and Culture Association for Assistance for Families Who Lost Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations) and TUAY-DER (Association of Families of Prisoners and Convicts) organised a “family meeting” in Amed (Diyarbakır) on Sunday.

Families, Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) executives and representatives of various non-governmental organisations attended the event.

Addressing the participants, DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır stated that they will protect the values obtained as a result of 50 years of struggle. Bayındır said: “With this belief and strength, we will protect our lands, Kurdistan and our language. Under the leadership of Abdullah Öcalan, we will have status. The occupying forces want to separate us from our values, but let them know this well; this struggle will continue until we are free."

Bayındır pointed out that Kurds are in a refugee status in th four parts of Kurdistan and said, “Kurdish people will get their rights and the right to self-government. Turkey is trying to prevent this, but there is not a single Kurd who will submit even if they confront this struggle with tanks and cannons. We will continue this struggle until our last drop of blood."

Bayındır emphasised that: “The solution to the Kurdish question lies with Mr Abdullah Öcalan on the island of İmralı.”

The DBP Co-Chair continued: “The Kurdish people have paid heavy prices so far, and they will not bow down to you. Because Kurds know themselves, their language and their land very well and have the will and leadership. Today is the day of solution and freedom. Kurds will not end the struggle until they obtain their rights. We will further increase our struggle with women, youth and all our organisations."

The meeting ended with a discussion of the problems faced by the families and their suggestions for solutions.