On the occasion of the International Day of Peace on September 1, actions took place in Amed (Diyarbakir), Van and Istanbul to protest against the war policy of the AKP/MHP government and to point to Abdullah Öcalan a key figure for a solution of the Kurdish question and peace in the Middle East.

Amed

The Work and Democracy Platform of Amed has issued a statement in front of the Human Rights Monument in Koşuyolu Park. Representatives of the civil society organizations and parties united in the platform took part in the rally under a banner with the Kurdish and Turkish inscription "Everything has been tried, now it's time for peace", including HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) deputy Garo Paylan and CHP politician Gönül Özel.

The spokesperson for the platform, Doğan Hatun stated that weapons must finally be silent, saying: “The ruling powers have not learned anything from the horror of the war, which has led to the death and expulsion of countless people, until today. The policy of violence, which is being conducted in the face of the Kurdish question, is currently threatening the lives of the local population with cross-border operations in Syria, Iraq and Libya.”

In a following speech, CHP local politician Gönül Özel pointed out that all societies are affected by war and therefore a joint effort for peace is necessary. HDP deputy Garo Paylan expressed a similar view: "Everyone suffers under the war policy of the AKP/MHP government. War means poverty, unemployment, death, catastrophe. In order to free ourselves from this, the commitment to peace, both at home and in the region, is a priority task. We must drown out the drum of war with our voices for peace. Let us all together say 'Bijî aşitî - Long live peace'."

Van

In the Kale Park in front of the fortress in Van, deputies and members of the HDP wanted to form a "human chain for peace" but were prevented from entering the area by a large police contingent with water cannons and armored vehicles. As a result, hundreds of people gathered in front of the HDP headquarters with a banner reading "Peace not war, freedom not isolation".

In a speech, DTK co-chair Berdan Öztürk called on people to stand up for peace worldwide. Regarding the ban on assembly that is practiced throughout Van, he said: "Soon, breathing will also be banned. We live in a dictatorship, in fascism. All peoples of Turkey must defend peace against war and freedom against isolation. The ruling classes fear us because we stand for peace, democracy and freedom. They can continue to do so. This fear means their end."

HDP deputy chairperson Tayip Temel said: "All of Van is besieged by water cannons and police forces. War is being waged against society. This applies to the whole of Turkey. We demand that this stop immediately." Temel also called for a return to the peace negotiations, which were unilaterally ended by the Erdogan government in 2015.

Istanbul

The initiative of Peace Mothers gathered in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul for a rally against the "polarizing war policy" of the Turkish government. In a symbolic act they threw their white headscarves on the floor. In the Kurdish tradition, mothers can end conflicts with this gesture.

On behalf of the Peace Mothers, Behiye Duman read out a statement in which she referred to the war in Kurdistan that has been going on for more than forty years and the latest peace efforts: "Between 2013 and 2015, a completely different climate prevailed in Turkey. This phase began with Abdullah Öcalan's historic call for peace at Newroz on March 21, 2013. On February 28, 2015, a very important level was reached with the Dolmabahçe Agreement. For the first time, it was openly declared that the problem must be resolved through the involvement of its contacts. We all witnessed the State talking to Abdullah Öcalan and the HDP delegation. For the first time, a law was passed in parliament and the results of the talks were published in Dolmabahçe. Then, however, the coup mechanism appeared on the scene. First, Abdullah Öcalan's isolation was tightened, and then a very cruel policy was practiced against the entire society. The bloody massacres that took place in Amed on June 5, in Suruç on July 20 and in Ankara on October 10, 2015 are unforgettable for all of us. Nor have we forgotten the destruction of Sur, Cizre, Nusaybin and other places. The state of emergency declared on July 20, 2016 is still in effect. The only policy being pursued at the moment, both at home and abroad, is war. Step by step, the country and its people are being driven further into the abyss.”

Behiye Duman appealed to the government and all political parties: "The problem, which has been going on for over a century and is leading to war, has a name and a contact person. The address for a solution is known. Mr. Öcalan declared in a conversation with his lawyers on May 2, 2019, that his position declared to Newroz 2013 is still valid. We call on all those who do not want war and who feel disturbed by the problems caused by war to take responsibility and take a clear stand".