‘We want everyone to be equal’

Political prisoner Emrullah Oruç’s mother, Şerife Oruç, spoke to ANF commenting on the current process seeking a solution to the Kurdish question.

Oruç recalled that they were forced to migrate from Batman to Istanbul after their village, Qeraço, was burned down by Turkish soldiers. She continued: “At that time, we had to leave the village with my seven young children. After staying in Batman for two or three years, we were forced to move to Manisa. We stayed there for three years. From there, we moved to Istanbul. My husband passed away. Two years later, we lost our son. Eleven months before my husband passed away, they arrested Emrullah. Now I keep going to the prison.”

Oruç stated that they want peace despite the pressure and torture they have endured so far. “We want the Turkish state to take a step, and the Kurds to do the same. Let there be peace, let the war end. Let those in prison be free. Our lives are already over; we want the new generations to live in a peaceful country. We live here with the Turks. We are neighbors. We have no problems with them. We want to live better with our neighbors,” she underlined.

Oruç stressed that she wants everyone to be equal in this land and for all languages to be spoken. “May God show them the right path and sow seeds of peace in their hearts. Our children reject remorse. They have been in prison for years. As mothers, we want an equal solution. We want to live in a place where there is no oppression.”