Wan — The Mothers of Peace play a pivotal role in promoting a culture of dialogue and demanding an end to the suffering of detainees. They raise their voices for justice and freedom, embodying through their determination the unity of Kurdish society, and calling for rejecting war and unifying ranks for lasting peace.

The call launched by Leader Abdullah Öcalan for “peace and a democratic society” on February 27, as part of a democratic solution to the Kurdish question, was accompanied by significant practical steps. On June 11, the Freedom Movement destroyed its weapons in the Jasna cave in the city of Sulaymaniyah, and later, on October 26, it issued a new statement announcing the beginning of the withdrawal of its forces from Turkey and northern Kurdistan toward the Medya Defense Zones. The movement explained that this decision would have a wide international impact, and that the eyes of various communities would turn toward the next steps the state would take.

During their discussion of the “peace and democratic society” initiative, the Mothers of Peace in the city of Wan in northern Kurdistan stressed that the time has come for the Turkish government to take serious and concrete steps toward this path, ensuring progress toward peace and the strengthening of democratic values. Nuriye Şika stated that, as a mother, she longs for peace: “We, the Mothers of Peace, demand an end to the suffering of our children through the release of all detainees. This must begin with the release of Leader Öcalan and the political prisoners.”

Şukriye Özer expressed her desire to achieve peace and secure the release of all political detainees so that no mother continues to suffer the loss of her children: “The Freedom Movement has taken meaningful steps toward peace, and the government must initiate equally serious steps, but this has not happened yet. Clear conditions and guarantees must be provided for our fighters, and according to the requirements of the process, political prisoners must be released — but this has still not been implemented.”
She emphasized: “We are not the Kurds who can be subdued as in the past. Reality has changed, and no one can break our will. What is required today is for the entire Kurdish people to unite and continue their joint struggle.”

Aisha Silek explained that the primary demand of all mothers is achieving peace: “We hope this process succeeds and that everyone — individuals and parties — works together with a cooperative spirit. It has become clear that war benefits no one, and thus, under the leadership of Leader Öcalan, the door to dialogue has been opened.”
She affirmed: “Our only demand is peace. We do not want to lose our children anymore. Everyone yearns for an end to killing and destruction, and for all issues to be resolved through dialogue and understanding.”

She added: “As a Kurdish people, we demand our right to our language, identity, and culture. Our children must receive education in their mother tongue and be able to express themselves through it. Our fundamental demand is peace, equality, and freedom.”

For her part, Muziyen Cankoion emphasized the need for the immediate release of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and all political detainees: “The Kurdish people have taken historic steps, and the government must respond with similar steps. If the process continues as it is, success will be achieved. Our trust is not in the government, but in the Freedom Movement. The Kurdish people must unite completely and continue their joint struggle for peace