After the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" made by Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, the government and state have not yet taken any steps. All sections of society are calling for the government and authorities to take immediate action. Prisoners’ relatives are also demanding that ill prisoners be released as one of the first steps.

 

‘WE WANT THE PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED’ 

 

Aslıhan Yıldırım, whose son Mehmet Yıldırım is imprisoned in Tekirdağ Prison, said her son was detained and arrested in Izmir in 2005. She called for freedom for all prisoners. Aslıhan Yıldırım, originally from Çewlig’s (Bingöl) Bongilan (Solhan), and her husband Xarpet (Elazığ), mentioned they migrated to Dîlok (Antep) years ago due to financial difficulties. 

 

She stated that after moving to Dîlok, her son Mehmet became involved with the Kurdish freedom movement. “Mehmet was detained and arrested 20 years ago in Izmir. Mehmet has kidney problems and needs treatment,” she said. Aslıhan Yıldırım emphasized the difficulties they face, traveling hundreds of kilometers from Dîlok to Tekirdağ. “We want to see better days. A solution must be found as soon as possible. We travel 20 hours to visit our children. We want all prisoners to be free, not just our own child,” she said.

 

THE FAMILY IS ON THE PRISON ROAD…

 

Ayniye Ayhan, who lived in the village of Gundîş (Tosuntarla) in Sêrt (Siirt) and migrated to Antalya's Alanya district after their village was burned, stated that after her son Necmettin Ayhan was arrested, they were forced to migrate to Dîlok due to state pressure. She mentioned that her son was detained on November 21, 2002, and taken to Hatay Dörtyol Prison, where he was held for 9 months. 

 

“In 2006, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Then he was exiled to Adana Kürkçüler Prison. He stayed there for about 5 years. Later, he was transferred to Muş for 3 years. While in Muş, we submitted a petition for his treatment, and they brought him to Antep. He was finally exiled to Izmir,” she explained. Ayniye Ayhan also stated that during Necmettin’s time in Muş, her husband Yahya Ayhan was also imprisoned on charges of "aiding the organization," and her younger son was imprisoned for "propagating for the organization." She emphasized that their family has spent years either in prison or on the prison roads, yet they continue to hope for peace.

 

Ayniye Ayhan, who was able to visit her son Necmettin for the last time in 2023, pointed out the difficulties families face as their children are sent far away. “Despite everything, we are waiting for peace. We are waiting for steps to be taken for the resolution of this issue in front of the TV. From my prayers to my daily conversations, peace is always on my lips. We have experienced great problems, and we do not want any family to face these problems anymore. We are waiting for both peace and what Mr. Öcalan will say,” she stated.

 

‘WE ARE WAITING FOR ACTION’

 

Fatima Ceyran, the sister of Şahin Gümüş, who was detained in 1999 in the Torbalı district of Izmir and is now imprisoned in Ankara Sincan High-Security Prison, stated that as a prisoner’s family, they are waiting for positive steps to be taken. Fatima Ceyran mentioned that Gümüş was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment and added, “My father could only visit him once a year, sometimes once every two years. My father passed away with longing for him. We do not want our mother to die with the same longing. We are waiting for steps to be taken for peace. My brother was tortured. We, as a family, have also faced difficulties and torture. We have suffered so much. Now we want peace. Our eyes are constantly on the TV, waiting for the great peace. We are waiting for the news of the prisoners' release in the prison."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli