Following the historic video appeal broadcast for the first time under the captivity conditions of Abdullah Öcalan, a group of 30 guerrillas, calling themselves the “Peace and Democratic Society Group,” burned their weapons during a ceremony attended by hundreds of people.
Millions watched this historic ceremony on television. While the group renewed their call for peace, some families saw their children on screen for the first time in years.
One of those who participated in the ceremony held on 11 July was Etem Kılıç (code name: Serdar Bawer), whose family was among those who saw their loved one after a long time.
The family, who saw guerrilla Serdar Bawer on television for the first time in 11 years, have been watching the same footage over and over for days.
Caught between excitement and bittersweet happiness, the family emphasized the significance of this opportunity and expressed their support for both the step taken and the process that has begun.
Adil Kılıç summarized the process with these words: “Many coffins have come home. We support this step under all conditions to prevent more bloodshed.”
Kılıç described his emotions after watching the footage as follows: “After so many years, I saw my son. Since the day he left, we hadn’t seen or heard from him. That day, during the weapon-burning moment, we saw him on TV, and he called us. We went home and watched the footage over and over. As a family, just like the Kurdish people and all peoples of the Middle East, we want peace. With this process and the historic step taken, we are both proud and happy. We don’t want anyone to be hurt or any more coffins to be sent to families. We want an honorable and sincere peace. Like all other peoples, we want equality.”
Despite the hardships they faced in the past, Kılıç said they were never in favor of war and continued: “We went through so much hardship and oppression, yet we were never in favor of war or bloodshed. This peace will benefit all peoples. When I saw him, I was very happy and proud. Such an opportunity doesn’t come to everyone.”
“Peace must be built”
Kılıç expressed his belief that the peace process will yield positive outcomes for everyone, pointing out that thousands have lost their lives for this cause: “Thousands of the children of this people have lost their lives in this process. That’s why our joy is bittersweet, but with the emergence of peace, all people will be happy. Everyone wants this process, but just like the people, the state must also take steps. Thousands are in prison, and thousands of our friends are in exile for political reasons. These people are being punished unfairly.”
Those who profit from war must not prevail”
Expressing their opposition to reliving another “Lausanne,” Kılıç emphasized the Kurdish people’s struggle for status: “We do not want to experience a second Lausanne. The Kurdish people are struggling to gain a status. Today, peoples must unite and stand together. Legal and constitutional changes are also necessary. With this historic step, this people has clearly expressed its demand for peace to the entire world. Everyone must understand that the Kurdish people will not be erased through death. This war won’t benefit anyone anymore. Peoples must gather around the peace table. We stand behind this step and will support this process and struggle as much as we can. We won’t allow those who profit from war and conflict to prevail. We support this decision to the end.”
“I was both happy and sad”
Vesile Kılıç, the mother of guerrilla Serdar expressed her emotions with these words: “We didn’t know he would appear on television. When I saw him, I was both very happy and extremely emotional. We mothers and families support this process wholeheartedly. Let there be peace, and let us be able to see our children. I haven’t seen my son for 11 years.”
Source: ANF News
