Journalist Serdar Korucu, who previously published The Saturday Mothers: 1000 Weeks in Galatasaray Square, a book based on interviews with 22 relatives of the disappeared, now brings readers a new publication titled This Mourning Will Not End. In this work, he documents the testimonies of families who lost loved ones during the military-imposed curfews in seven cities in 2015 and 2016.
Korucu said that he conducted these interviews to ensure that what happened is not forgotten and that collective memory remains alive. Korucu emphasized the importance of memory and the need to end impunity in the pursuit of peace. He said: “The families who suffered are the ones calling for peace. It is them we must listen to.” He underlined that their mourning can only come to an end when the policy of impunity is brought to a close.
Korucu’s book seeks to preserve events that must be etched into the collective memory and aims to build justice and peace through these testimonies.
These lived experiences had to be documented
Korucu explained the motivation behind the book and its contribution to social peace with the following words: “Cemile, whose lifeless body was kept in a freezer, or Taybet Ana (Mother), whom we all remember with deep sorrow… These are just a few of the names etched into our memories from the 2015–2016 period. But there should have been many more events from that time engraved into our collective memory. What we witnessed instead was a deliberate construction of forgetting. These stories absolutely had to be recorded. There has been a serious state of collective amnesia in society, and we began this work precisely so that these stories would not be forgotten.
If memory is not documented, then one day, accountability becomes impossible. Each story represents a distinct memory and a distinct refusal to forget, for all of us.”
Despite everything, the families still call for peace
Korucu noted that the project began in collaboration with the Human Rights Association (IHD), through which they were able to reach families in the region. He emphasized that the families shared their most painful experiences with them, and that despite everything they have endured, they still continue to stand for peace. Reflecting on his book, Korucu said: “Before 2015–2016, there was the so-called ‘peace process.’ Then the policies of war returned. A deep trauma was experienced. Ten years have passed, and now we are once again talking about peace. And despite everything, the families still say peace. Taybet Ana’s family puts it this way: ‘Why did we pay the price? We said yes to peace. While we say yes, we do not think it is right for others to say no.’ They are absolutely right.
When those who have truly suffered are putting their hearts on the line for peace, I do not think the criticism of others holds much value. The real right to speak belongs to those who have suffered, who have paid the price, and who, despite everything, continue this struggle.”
Impunity stands in the way of peace
Korucu added that ten years have passed since the military-imposed curfews and that the work on the book, which began in November of last year, was completed this month. “There is a widespread state of forgetfulness in society. There is fatigue too, but these people do not want to be forgotten, because the perpetrators are still out there. They continue their lives without being held accountable.
One of the most striking examples of this impunity is the case of Helin Şen. The police officer responsible received only six years and three months in prison. Her family says: ‘If she had been killed by a random bullet, the perpetrator would have received a life sentence. We do not accept this sentence.’ And they are absolutely right. There is substantial evidence, yet the punishment is nowhere near sufficient.”
Collective memory must always remain alive
According to Korucu, this injustice is directly linked to the peace process: “If we are to speak of peace, we must confront the past. Recording what happened and demanding accountability are both parts of peace. In the past, the state and those in power pursued policies of denial, suppressing collective memory. The unresolved killings were never officially acknowledged. Even Erdoğan recently admitted this, but there has been neither an apology nor any real steps taken. And yet, it is those who have suffered the most who are now demanding peace.”
Everyone should remain silent and listen to the families who suffer
Korucu said that in any meaningful dialogue process, the right to speak must belong to those who have directly experienced the pain: “Those who lost loved ones in 2015–2016 are the true counterparts in the peace process. If the peace process had continued, Cemile would be a young woman today. We might not have even known her name. We might never have known Taybet Ana. But that did not happen. Instead, we saw her lifeless body lying in the street.
This is why peace is essential. A little girl is shot by a special operations police officer while standing next to her mother. And her family asks for peace. Then the rest of us must fall silent and listen to them. Human stories touch the heart. Numbers are cold, but if you remind people that Cemile was a child, they begin to think.”
Society must begin to talk about peace
Korucu also reflected on the title of his book, This Mourning Will Not End, stating: “These families were not even given the dignity of a funeral. The fate of those disappeared in custody and the punishment of the perpetrators are among their most basic demands. True mourning cannot end as long as impunity continues. Impunity is everywhere, and it must come to an end. This is why peace must become a societal issue, and why society as a whole must begin to speak about peace. That is what truly matters.”
It is the families who must speak for peace
According to Serdar Korucu, only through reckoning can mourning begin to ease: “The dead will not return, but at the very least, people’s consciences might find some relief. Those who truly hold the right to speak are these families. They must be included in the process.
I hope their demands are heard. In previous peace processes, the voices of witnesses were not amplified enough. Now that opportunity has returned. That is why any commission established in parliament must include these families and allow them to speak.
This process is not limited to 2015–2016. People who have suffered across all periods must be included, because they are the real parties to peace. True peace can only be achieved by listening to their demands.”
Source: ANF News
