Peace activists called for the resumption of negotiations on a political solution to the Kurdish question in front of the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. The rally was attacked by the police and three women were taken into custody.
The Istanbul police attacked activists of the Peace Mother Initiative at a rally marking 1 September World Peace day in front of the Dolmabahce Palace. Three women were taken into custody by police in a violent manner.
The Peace Mothers met in front of the Beşiktaş Stadium on Wednesday to protest against the war in Kurdistan and to demand the resumption of peace negotiations.
In February 2015, an agreement to resolve the Kurdish question was declared in the Dolmabahce Palace. The agreement was a ten-point plan negotiated between Abdullah Öcalan and the Turkish state. The Kurdish side was represented by the HDP, and the peace process was ended shortly afterwards by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"Blood flows on both sides"
During their action, the activists wore white headscarves as a symbol of peace. Akime Keskin said in Kurdish: “We are mothers and we want peace. We call on all mothers to support us. For a hundred years we have seen massacres and violence, but we still demand peace. We feel the pain of all mothers in our hearts, blood flows on both sides. We don’t want war. Problems cannot be solved by war. There was a negotiation table but it had been knocked over and needed to be put back up. Peace harms no one.”
Bedia Gökgöz, another member of the Peace Mother Initiative, said: “The massacres should stop. This is World Peace Day and we want peace in our country and around the world. The deaths in prison must come to an end. Kurdish parents are constantly being handed the bodies of their children in plastic boxes or bags.”
Activist Behiye Duman also addressed the case of Hakan Arslan, whose remains were handed over to his father in a bag on Monday. “We are subjected to degrading, inhuman and fascist treatment. – she said - Our children are murdered and their bones are sent to their parents by post or presented in a bag. This is a disgrace and those responsible should be ashamed.”
Three women violently taken into custody
After the speeches, the activists were attacked by the police. Several women were dragged to the ground, journalists were pushed back by the police and prevented from filming. Activists Bedia Gökyüz, Zeliha Gökyüz and Şükran Tugay were violently taken into custody.
