Tens of Thousands Demand Peace in Diyarbakır

Organised by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), a march calling for "Democracy, Peace and a Solution" took place in Diyarbakır.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the march on Wednesday, 15 March. According ot the Fırat News Agency, there were more than 50,000 people.

The march coincided with the day that the armed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced a continuation of its unilateral ceasefire until 1 September.

DTP co-chair Ahmet Türk pointed to the PKK's announcement, as well as imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's road map for a solution, saying:

"If you ignore the steps that are being taken, then tomorrow you will have Turkish mothers whose sons are soldiers and Kurdish mothers whose sons are guerillas in the mountains asking you to give account. I call on all of Turkey, on the media, contribute to this peaceful period, let it not be wasted."

He also called on President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to "use the opportunity to stop blood from flowing".

Fellow party co-chair Emine Ayna expressed her disappointment at the Prime Minister's refusal to meet with party members and said that this was one reason for the mass protests.

Ahmet Türk called on trade unions, employers' organisations and NGOs not only to protest about the economy, but also realise that billions of dollars were being spent on this war.

He added, "They have announced the Kurdish people to be terrorists. I call on the whole world. Everyone is ready for peace. Up to now, they have tried to blame the lack of a solution on Kurds, but today it is clear that it is the government itself which does not want peace or a solution. From now on, no one can call Kurds terrorists."

The march was joined by all DTP MPs and mayors of the party, as well as Hatip Dicle, spokesperson of the Democratic Society Congress. (TK/AG)