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Mothers Peace in Istanbul How long time does exist your association ? We are active since three years, but we just exist now as a legal en association, with that central office in Istanbul. We have too other offices in the country, in some towns like Batman, Diyarbakir (Kurdish towns), etc., there are seven main offices. And we have too representatives in Germany. How many members have you ? At first, we were seven foundatrice mothers. Nowadays, there are a thousand members. In Istanbul, there are 150 permanent militants who participate to regular demonstrations. For massive actions and more mediatic events, we have the support of 3 or 4 thousands militants. What are your aims ? We refuse war. A great part of us are Kurdish victims’ mothers. Many Turkish soldiers’mothers would have like to join our actions, but the army threats and pressures them and they can not do it. In spite of it, some Turkish Womens’ associations join us for great meetings and important actions. What do you think of the last political events, especcially the cease of the war ? War stopped, that’s true, but all the problems are not resolved and we fight for the Turkish policy changes about Human’s Rights. And what about the entry of Turkey in European Union ? We don’t want this entry without measures for the guarantee of Human’s Rights. We want that Europa exige that Turkey respect them with the Kurdish rights. We want that European come here and watch what happens, really, and they controle the actions of the State. What is particular in the political engagement of a Kurdish woman? The economical, social and political situation was always difficult for Kurdish women, especially for the last ten years. But something has changed now, and it is their political independance. Before, a Kurdish woman adhered to her husband’s opinions. Today, she has her own militant way. Interview made with the OFK - October 1999. |
