Mimihan Halbin Zaidan

Van- One and a half year have passed since the launch of the “Peace and Democratic Society Process.”From its first moment, hope was pinned on mutual progress that would build trust between the two sides. However, the concrete and successive steps taken by the Kurds to revive the process and give it real momentum have not been met by any actual move from the Turkish state. This has generated a general feeling that the state is not acting in line with the spirit of the process or its requirements.

Today, the people believe that the continuation of the process in a process in a proper manner requires the Turkish state to take clear and bold steps reflecting a genuine commitment to peace. While the state has not taken any step that directly responds to the existing path, the most urgent demand – seen as an essential condition for restoring vitality to the process- is “guaranteeing the freedom of detainees, ” foremost among them leader Abdullah Öcalan.

This step, in the view of many, is not merely a legal or political measure, but a key to rebuilding trust and opening the door to a new, more serious and deeper phase in the peace path.

"In societies where violence escalates, women pay the price"

Meryem Olutkin says that the Kurds have provided enough steps to ensure the continuation of the path, affirming that women are the first to pay the price when violence escalates.

She noted that the effects of the suspension of the peace and democratic society process have become tangible everywhere, even in universities, and that the continuation of this situation threatens the future of both youth and women.

She stressed that "the urgent and necessary step lies with the Turkish state," and that it must move immediately with a step that restores trust to the process.

Seriya Yerashli pointed out that the Kurdish people have done what was required of them over the past year and a half, while "the other side has not yet shown any serious or sufficient step."

She affirmed that what people are waiting for today is "a clear, unambiguous step," especially regarding "the release of political prisoners," as a pivotal step to bring life back to the process and give it new momentum.

"You cannot fill prisons with political prisoners and then wait for brotherhood"

Yasemin Bayit said they are continuing their struggle until concrete and real steps are achieved, affirming that their presence in the squares is a clear message that "the Kurdish people exist and will not be erased."

She stressed that recognizing the existence of this people must be the first step for any serious political path, and that the policies of violence and pressure practiced against the Kurdish people must stop without delay. The Turkish state itself must confront these policies instead of fueling them.

She added that "the release of political prisoners" is an unavoidable necessity if the state speaks of rights and freedoms. These prisoners, as she says, have not attacked anyone, yet they languish in prisons, while many murderers and rapists move freely outside.

She affirmed that "the state should not fear voices demanding their rights, but should guarantee them freedom. You cannot speak of brotherhood while prisons are filled with political prisoners."

"The legal status must be determined"

Even Karahan, a member of the Shah (Çatak) Municipality Council, said that the continuation of the process in a good manner requires an urgent and clear step from the Turkish state, affirming that the real beginning of any progress lies in "guaranteeing the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and determining his legal status, putting an end to the state of ambiguity that hinders the path."

Zilan Ertoğ stressed that the peace path cannot remain suspended any longer, saying that this process began more than a year ago, and that "the time has come to take an actual step."

She added that people no longer want war, but aspire to "a dignified life characterized by unity and solidarity," and that any delay will deepen society's suffering and undermine hope for peace.

"Priority should be given to sick detainees"

Şevin Polat, co‑chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party in the Riya Armush (İpekyolu) district, said that the Kurdish people have been struggling for many years for the peace they long for, affirming that they want a real result, not just promises. She added that the process has been ongoing for a year and a half, yet "the state has not taken a single step" reflecting a genuine commitment to peace.

She stressed that the "basic and urgent step" that must be taken is to prioritize sick detainees, along with ensuring "the freedom of political prisoners," considering that any talk of peace loses its meaning as long as prisons are full of people arrested for their opinions and political positions.