WAN – Saide Ulugana, who lost two of her children in the conflicts and attended the Peace and Democratic Society Group’s weapon-burning ceremony, spoke about her pain and hopes. "The bodies of our children were given to us in boxes and bags, yet despite all this pain, we say ‘peace’," she said.

 

Following the call for peace by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Peace and Democratic Society Group held a disarmament ceremony in Şikefta Casenê, rural Silemanî (Sulaymaniyah) in the Kurdistan Region. The event brought together representatives from civil society, politicians, intellectuals, and relatives of those lost in the conflicts.

 

Saide Ulugana lost her daughter Aynur (Ronahi Tamara), who joined the PKK in 2007, in Amed (Diyarbakır) in April 2021, and her son Rıdvan Azad (Karker Tolhildan), who joined in 2007, in Efrîn in October 2023. She recounted how her daughter's body was only handed over 93 days after her death due to bureaucratic obstacles. "Despite the difficulties, we buried her after a long wait. My children were unique — responsible, respectful, and beloved by all," she said.

 

‘DESPITE ALL THE PAIN, WE SAY PEACE’

 

Describing her daughter as determined and honest, Ulugana said both children were loved by their peers and family. "I never saw them grow up. Aynur was my everything," she added.

 

Reflecting on the ceremony, Saide Ulugana said: "We were seven mothers there, witnessing deeply emotional scenes. Seeing the group burning their weapons brought tears but also hope. We have suffered too much, and now no one else should suffer. Even though our children’s bodies were given to us in boxes and bags, we still say ‘peace’ with confidence."

 

‘WOMEN LED THIS HISTORIC MOMENT’

 

Saide Ulugana credited the leadership of Besê Hozat and the empowerment of women by Abdullah Öcalan for the historic nature of the ceremony. "Thanks to Öcalan, women now have an active role everywhere in life. This moment was led by women, marking a significant change."

 

‘WE WANT OUR IDENTITY AND EXISTENCE’

 

Highlighting demands for the release of sick and political prisoners and the lifting of language bans, Ulugana concluded: "Our struggle is a struggle for our language and identity. We want our language to be recognized as an education language. We want our identity and existence."

 

MA / Ozlem Yacan