Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who is currently serving a 42-year sentence related to Turkey’s notorious Kobani case, has sent a letter of support to the Saturday Mothers as they mark their 1000th week of protest. The Saturday Mothers, who have long sought justice for their disappeared loved ones, used social media to share Demirtaş’s letter, which resonated deeply within the human rights community.
“In recognition of the 1000th week of the #SaturdayMothers, we share a message from Selahattin Demirtaş, lawyer for the families of the disappeared, sent from Edirne Prison,” announced their post on platform X, formerly Twitter, shared on Saturday.
In his letter, Demirtaş wrote, “Dear Saturday Mothers and families, whether we are on the inside or on the outside, we politicians stand ashamed before you. We are ashamed that we have not yet been able to alleviate your suffering. We are ashamed that we have not been able to hold accountable those who barricaded you out of your [Galatasaray] square, who gassed you with teargas and beat you with trincheons. But know that together with you, we are always more hopeful and more resilient.”
He vowed to continue the struggle for peace and freedom for all people in the land, irrespective of their ethnic background, stating, “We will not stop until we have gifted peace and freedom to all suffering mothers in this land; we will resist just like you and in a manner befitting to you.”
Though physically absent, Demirtaş expressed his spiritual presence at Galatasaray Square where the Saturday Mothers have traditionally gathered to protest, saying, “Although I am not physically there with you in Galatasaray Square on this thousandth week, my heart and soul are with you. I kiss your hands and your hearts scorched by sorrow. We will certainly meet in free tomorrows.”
