Thousands of citizens as well as representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations from many cities in Kurdistan attended the “Freedom for Peace” rally organized by the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Amed (Diyarbakır) on Saturday.

DBP Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, Free Women's Movement (TJA) activist Çağlar Demirel and a Peace Mother attended the rally as speakers. Other participants included DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, deputies of the DEM Party and CHP and provincial and district co-mayors.

Addressing the crowd, DEM Party Amed Provincial Co-Chair Abbas Şahin said, “Let this square be a peace square. It is time for honorable peace. Let us build it together.”

TJA activist Çağlar Demirel said that TJA will continue its struggle for peace. Highlighting the importance and urgency of peace in Kurdistan and the Middle East, Çağlar Demirel said, “Those who want peace and freedom have gathered here today. The interlocutor who will bring peace and freedom is clear. Let Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan be free.”

Çağlar Demirel pointed out that the freedom of society and women is dependent on the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. She denounced the genocidal attacks against women and daily femicides in Turkey, the Middle East and the world at the hands of nation states, occupiers and the male-dominated mentality.

“We, Kurdish women, say 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' (Woman, Life, Freedom) for peace and freedom everywhere,” she added.

Condemning the deadly Turkish attacks against Kurdish journalists in Iraq and Syria, Demirel continued: “We want peace, democracy and freedom. Therefore, first and foremost, the status of Rojava must be recognized. Rojava, where a women’s revolution has been taking place, sets an example to the whole world. We continue our struggle and resistance everywhere. We always play our role for peace. The TJA is a leading movement for peace and unity of peoples and will continue to be a pioneer. The people of Amed and Kurdish women want peace and democracy. To this end, the isolation of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan must be lifted in the first place, and he must be allowed to take part in negotiations. We will be in constant action for the freedom of Leader Öcalan.”

Peace Mother Havva Rabia Kıran said, “Kurdish people want unity, fraternity, peace and freedom, as they have always done. Everyone should stand up and demand peace. We didn't want anyone to die, whether soldiers, police or guerrillas... We don't want death. The tears of mothers have no color. Our tears are one. We have been calling out to the mothers of Turkish soldiers for years, saying 'Let us join hands and bring peace and tranquility'. Mothers have one life and it could well be sacrificed for the peace and tranquility of the Kurdish people. Those who lost their children in this war, those who buried their children still say 'We want peace and unity'.”