Speaking about the historic ceremony, people of Amed (Diyarbakır) emphasised the need for mutual steps to be taken going forward, saying, “As a people who have paid a heavy price, we want peace, freedom, equality and justice.”
Herdem Arslan, who two of her children joined the PKK, watched the ceremony of the Peace and Democratic Society Group from the screen. “Kurds must strengthen their unity and increase their struggle,” she said.
Elif Oz, 45, saw her daughter at the ceremony held in Silêmanî (Sulaymaniyah) after 12 years, said: “We want peace and tranquillity. Mothers of soldiers should also raise their voices for peace.”
Watching the ceremony of the Peace and Democratic Society Group, Huseyin Kucukbalaban, Co-Chair of the Human Rights Association (İHD), said, “The state has no more excuse,” and listed the steps that need to be taken.
Commenting on the disarmament, DEM Party MPs emphasised the need for Parliament to take an active role in finding a solution.
Ekin Ueter, Co-chair of OHD; who was part of the delegation that received the weapons inventory from the guerrilla group that destroyed its weapons in response to Abdullah Ocalan’s call, said that the organisations that received the inventory would prepare a report on the ceremony and the process.
Footage of preparations made by the Peace and Democratic Society Group prior the weapons burning ceremony has been released. Members of the Peace and Democratic Society Group, led by KCK Executive Council Co-chiar Bese Hozat, destroyed their weapons in response to call of Abdullah Ocalan.
Human rights defenders and intellectuals, who left the arms-burning ceremony of the Peace and Democratic Society Group with hope, pointed out that all segments of society have a responsibility for the success of the process.
95 years have passed since the Zilan Massacre. Writer Mehmet Sadık Varli stated, "The ongoing struggle against massacres is preparing to be crowned with victory."
Politicians organising "Peace and Democratic Society Meetings" in Şirnex (Şırnak) reported that the public is expecting legal reforms.
Regarding the PKK’s weapon destruction ceremony, Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoglu said, “What we must do is to lead the new era,” while DEVA Party Chair Ali Babacan welcomed the development.
President Erdogan commented on the PKK's weapon destruction ceremony, saying: "I hope the important step taken today on the path to our goal will bring good results."
Bese Hozat, co-chair of the KCK Executive Council, who led the 30-member Peace and Democratic Society Group’s disarmament ceremony, spoke to Numedya24 about the event. "We took this step with a clear decision. It is a political action, and we want to see a response," she said.
Watching the weapon destruction ceremony of PKK on television, Amed citizens emphasized the need for contitutional guarantees for those who have laid down their arms.
The names of “The Peace and Democratic Society Group” who organised a destruction weapons ceremony in Şikefta Casenê (Jasana Cava) in the countryside of Sulaymaniyah upon the call of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan, were published.